At this point, I'm sure mostly everyone has heard the news from the Supreme Court: the homosexual community has equal rights for marriage as a man and a woman do across all 50 states. Throughout the last few days I've had the chance to gather my thoughts. I wasn't going to post anything about it, but I can't keep silent anymore.
While scrolling through my Facebook feed, I have seen multiple different opinions. I am saddened by the decision our country has made and I am terribly scared for how Christians will respond. As someone who has homosexual friends, I really had to think out what I thought about this decision.
At first I was angry. Even though I knew in the back of my head that this would most likely be the outcome, I didn't want to think that it actually would turn out this way. If I prayed hard enough, maybe God would be gracious and allow the Judges to rule in my favor. But, I am now reminded that the Bible constantly tells us how the days will become more and more evil. Those who once listened to and obeyed God have forgotten Him and have gone their own way.
"Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error." Romans 1:24-26
I have a best friend. She is a wonderful, godly young lady. She encourages me, keeps me accountable, and prays for me. But guess what? She's not perfect. She is a sinner. So am I. I make terrible choices on a daily basis even though Christ has forgiven me and set me free from sin's curse. Thankfully, I have the Holy Spirit as my helper to guide me and make me desire what God wants.
So, why did I say all that? Because people are sinners, and homosexuality is a sin. Even though a lot of the Christian world seems condemning and judgmental towards these people for committing "a great sin", the Bible calls all sins equal. Because of this, I am at fault just as much as one who commits the sin of homosexuality.
Can we just look at Jesus' life for a minute? Jesus came to earth and made friends with tax collectors -- the outsiders of that community. They were hated for the sin they committed -- being in with the Roman government and stealing from the Jews. No one would ever associate themselves with a tax collector. Jesus did. He not only became friends with them, He even called one of them, Matthew to be one of his closest friends and followers.
What about the adulterous woman? The religious leaders wanted to stone her and kill her for her sins. Jesus looked at them and said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jesus was the only perfect one in that crowd. While everyone else let their stones fall to the ground, Jesus could have threw stone after stone at her. According to the law of Moses, she would be getting what she deserved. But after all her accusers leave, Jesus chooses to ask her if she sees anyone who has condemned her. After saying "no," He responds with, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” Jesus had every right to judge her for her sin, yet He chooses forgiveness.
Why then do we then, who are not perfect ourselves go around judging others who are caught up in a sin that is weighed the same as our very own? All are the same in Jesus' eyes. All were paid for on the cross. The salvation that was given on the cross is available for all who choose to come to Him.
Before one becomes a believer in Jesus Christ, they have no reason to be moral. They can do what is right in their own eyes. They do not see God as someone to be accountable to. So my question to you is how will they know unless someone tells them? I am not talking here about telling them their lifestyle is wrong. That is the exact opposite of what I am saying. What I am saying is preach the Gospel. Preach the Gospel just like you have been doing Preach the Gospel even more than you have ever done before. Preach the Gospel in the way you love and live your life. Jesus Christ died to save sinners, and as He loves them, He desires all to come to Him.
So how do we respond to the US Supreme Court's decision as believers in Jesus Christ? We share Jesus' wonderful work on the cross and love others just like we already should be doing. There is no new reaction we should have. Tell others about Jesus. He does the saving and the life changing.
