As I think about the decision that came down from the SCOTUS yesterday, I have really mixed emotions. I don’t know if any of what I have to say will surprise you or not, but I would ask that before you read this article, that you understand that I am not passing judgement on anyone for their personal choices. In fact, when it comes right down to it, I support the rights guaranteed by the constitution of the U.S. to ALL citizens. Maybe you will agree with me and add your voice of support as well.
For those of you who may not know what the decision of the court was, here is a very brief description. The essence of the decision is that a state no longer has the right to make same-sex marriage illegal and, more specifically, the states must recognize such unions the same way they recognize heterosexual marriage. The clear truth is that most Americans (more than half) agree with this decision. While I do not agree with the decision, this is not the point of this article, however I wanted to give some context for what I have to say.
Let me start by saying that I am a believer in what the word of God says. I believe every word from cover to cover. I believe that it is 100% true. I believe that the God who is described in the Bible is exactly who it says He is and that He never changes. I believe that what society deems as “normal” is often counter to what God calls righteous. I believe that ALL of humankind is sinful, including myself. I believe that the punishment for sin is the same (death) regardless of the particular sin. There is no sin greater than any other and no sin that is less than any other. ALL sin is the same and all sinners are the same and share the same fate.
Having said all of that, I want to share a couple of articles that I have already written. In the article titled “Lord, have mercy!“, I have outlined the truth that we have all sinned and that we are all in need of a savior. Also outlined there are the details for how to find that savior. Go ahead and read that article and come back here once you have finished. I’ll wait right here for you. The other article I’d like for you to read is one called “The Great Apostasy“. Read that one, too and I’ll finish up here when you get back. Did you read them both? Ok, we’re ready to proceed.
So let me just say outright, that I do not believe that homosexuality or that same-sex marriage is the best way to describe the problem. Do I believe that homosexuality is a sin? Yes I do. Does the bible teach that homosexuality is a sin? Yes it does. Regardless of how you feel about that, it is what it is and there is no getting around it. It is a sin. In the same way, it is a sin to lie, cheat, steal, misuse God’s name and a host of other behaviors that I could list. ALL of these are sin and none worse than any other in the eyes of God. Furthermore, sin will become more and more “normal” in our society as we move closer to the end of this age. These two truths (as outlined in the above two articles) are the reason I wanted to write this article.
As a Christian, I am called to love people as God loves them. God is love and he loves ALL people, and I should, therefore, love all people as well. Let me share some Bible truths about God’s love (these are all English Standard Version quotes):
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life
1 John 4:10 – In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Acts 10:34-35 – So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him
And now, let me share a few commandments that we should love others:
Mark 12:30-40 – And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Colossians 3:14 – And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
1 Corinthians 13:1-5 – If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
John 13:35 – By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
So God loves everyone and we are to love everyone as well. Easy enough, right? Just one more verse I want to share with you. It is the continuation of the quote from 1 Corinthians 13 above. This is verse 6:
Here, my friends, is the key. I do not care what our government has to say about anything. I do not care how society feels about any particular subject. I do not care if not one person on the planet agrees with what I am about to say. But, because I love you and I know that God loves you, I am going to say it anyway:
If you are practicing a homosexual lifestyle – STOP.
If you are a liar – STOP.
If you are a thief – STOP.
If you are practicing ANY sin – STOP.
These actions will lead only to death and destruction. Go back and read the article called “Lord, have mercy” one more time. There is forgiveness for your sin and mine. It isn’t because either of us deserve forgiveness. It isn’t because either of us is any better than the other (neither of us is better or worse). Your particular flavor of sin and mine, while perhaps are different, both lead to death and separation from a God who loves us beyond our wildest imaginations. It’s not too late.