As I think about the decision that came down from the SCOTUS yesterday, I have really mixed emotions. \u00a0I 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\u00a0article, that you understand that I am not passing judgement on anyone for their personal choices. \u00a0In fact, when it comes right down to it, I support the rights guaranteed by the constitution of the U.S. to ALL citizens. \u00a0Maybe you will agree with me and add your voice of support as well.<\/p>\n
For those of you who may not know what the decision of the court was, here is a very brief description. \u00a0The essence of the decision is that a state no longer has the right to make same-sex\u00a0marriage illegal and, more specifically, the states must recognize such unions the same way they recognize heterosexual marriage. \u00a0The clear truth is that most Americans (more than half) agree with this decision. \u00a0While I do not agree with the decision, this is not the point of this article, however\u00a0I wanted to give some context for what I have to say.<\/p>\n
Let me start by saying that I am a believer in what the word of God says. \u00a0I believe every word from cover to cover. \u00a0I believe that it is 100% true. \u00a0I believe that the God who is described in the Bible is exactly who it says He is and that He never changes. \u00a0I believe that what society deems as “normal” is often counter to what God calls righteous. \u00a0I believe that ALL of humankind is sinful, including myself. \u00a0I believe that the punishment for sin is the same (death) regardless of the particular sin. \u00a0There is no sin greater than any other and no sin that is less than any other. \u00a0ALL sin is the same and all sinners are the same and share the same fate.<\/p>\n
Having said all of that, I want to share a couple of articles that I have already written. \u00a0In the article titled “Lord, have mercy!<\/a>“, I have outlined the truth that we have all sinned and that we are all in need of a savior. \u00a0Also outlined there are the details for how to find that savior. \u00a0Go ahead and read that article and come back here once you have finished. \u00a0I’ll wait right here for you. \u00a0The other article I’d like for you to read is one called “The Great Apostasy<\/a>“. \u00a0Read that one, too and I’ll finish up here when you get back. \u00a0Did you read them both? \u00a0Ok, we’re ready to proceed.<\/p>\n 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. \u00a0Do I believe that homosexuality is a sin? \u00a0Yes I do. \u00a0Does the bible teach that homosexuality is a sin? \u00a0Yes it does. \u00a0Regardless of how you feel about that, it is what it is and there is no getting around it. \u00a0It is a sin. \u00a0In 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. \u00a0ALL of these are sin and none worse than any other in the eyes of God. \u00a0Furthermore, sin will become more and more “normal” in our society as we move closer to the end of this age. \u00a0These two truths (as outlined in the above two articles) are the reason I wanted to write this article.<\/p>\n As a Christian, I am called to love people as God loves them. \u00a0God is love and he loves ALL people, and I should, therefore, love all people as well. \u00a0Let me share some Bible truths about God’s love (these are all English Standard Version quotes):<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/div><\/div>\n And now, let me share a few commandments that we should love others:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Colossians 3:14 – And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.<\/p>\n 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;<\/p>\n John 13:35 – By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.<\/div><\/div>\n So God loves everyone and we are to love everyone as well. \u00a0Easy enough, right? \u00a0Just one more verse I want to share with you. \u00a0It is the continuation of the quote from 1 Corinthians 13 above. \u00a0This is verse 6:<\/p>\n Here, my friends, is the key. \u00a0I do not care what our government has to say about anything. \u00a0I do not care how society feels about any particular subject. \u00a0I do not care if not one person on the planet agrees with what I am about to say. \u00a0But, because I love you and I know that God loves you, I am going to say it anyway:<\/p>\n If you are practicing a homosexual lifestyle – STOP.
\nIf you are a liar – STOP.
\nIf you are a thief – STOP.
\nIf you are practicing ANY sin – STOP.<\/p>\n