Today was a very heavy day for many of us in the United States of America. Another definitive step further out of the will of God has been taken by those appointed to render judgment in the highest human court we regard in this republic. I am on a short ministry sabbatical and am trying not to think on any heavy issues but today’s SCOTUS ruling is unavoidable for me and some have been curious as to what my thoughts are on the issue. Feeling a little strange that anyone might wonder where my opinion would fall on the matter, I felt it best to go ahead and put it in writing.
“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” – Psalm 11:3
Let me say that I am not surprised by today’s ruling in the least. It has simply been a matter of time before this position was put into law. I am saddened but not surprised in the least. In the midst of my personal displeasure, let me also say that the Church’s mission remains the same: to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ and seek to glorify Him in all we are and all we do. In this manner, nothing about who we are and what we are commissioned by Christ to do has changed. If I may take this a step further, I would like to add that I believe this ruling will eventually result in some form of significant chastisement from God. Please do not hear me to be saying to our culture, “Our daddy can beat up your daddy.” It is simply that I have studied the bible for 20+ years and I cannot avoid the precedent that Scripture reveals in a God who judicially responds to any nation which openly defies Him – including His own covenant people, Israel (if you are curious then see Numbers through Malachi for more insights). The highest human court in our land has formally ruled that God and His Word are inferior to their own wisdom. Justice Kennedy’s written words about today’s ruling nearly made me wretch. Justice Scalia’s written statements in opposition to the ruling gave voice to many of our need to vent, but it simply was not enough. This cannot bode well for us as a nation. So what are we to do?
Let the Church of Jesus Christ continue to love our neighbor (regardless of their sexual orientation) as Jesus would have us love them. Let us also continue to love God’s word and not be ashamed of what is written therein as we daringly and dogmatically declare it. Let the Church be sobered that the reality of the state of affairs in America is due in part to our continued silence on cultural issues, our compromise in our pulpits by politically correct pastors and our timid acquiescence on pertinent issues which we seem to only address after the dismissal bell has already rung. Let also the Church be brokenhearted with the same godly sorrow displayed in the Psalmists’ laments, Jeremiah’s tearful, pleading prophecy and the weeping heart of the Son of God as He mourned over Jerusalem’s spiritual blindness during His lifetime. Our being angry is a suitable initial response because we are concerned over the arrhythmia of America’s spiritual heart. Our remaining angry will not be a legitimate response however. The verdict has been rendered, our nation celebrates and we cannot afford to be petulant children who retreat into our ecclesiastical huddles and pray for Jesus to return so we can escape all that is wrong down here. My personal belief is that, if Jesus was ministering in America today, He would sleep well tonight knowing that neither the gates of hell nor the gavels of humans will ever prevail over His mission through His church. I am going to emulate Him and sleep well tonight also.
Christians, now is the time for our gospel light to penetrate the shadows of society. Now is the time for our voice to learn again how to speak the undiminished truth in undeniable love. Now is the time when we must think long and hard upon the counsel of our King when He told His followers to “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” He made that statement in the context of His ambassadors being sent forth into a culture which would not appreciate them nor their Kingdom message. Listen to what your countrymen have said on this issue of homosexual marriage. Consider what Americans are celebrating today and love them enough to actually consider why they deem it worthy of celebration. Next, ponder what might be coming on the heels of this ruling and what it means to how preachers, teachers and other Christians communicate a biblical position on the issue of marriage. Then… search your own heart to see what ungodly verdict is pronounced there in your chest that gives you a free pass in areas where you are out of line with God and His ways. Nobody listens to hypocrites. If you find that you, a follower of Jesus, are unwilling to repent of your own inequity of heart, then expect nothing different from others in this country of ours which has run so heartbreakingly far from her God.
Bring on the prophets.
Pastor Jeff;
I, too, am a pastor. My charge is small by most standards but a loving congregation that has asked me to speak on this matter. My message will be one of love but firmness in the Word. The supreme court of our God has already ruled on this matter and we must obey.
Pray for us as you pray for our country. God will prevail but I fear our maker’s rebuke.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Pastor Mike
Thank you Jeff, for a clear and well stated truth. We are called to love all mankind and pray for its redemption. It is up to God to judge the content of each person’s heart on this and other issues of our day. I fear today’s Supreme Court ruling will lead to persecution of the Christian faith even if we speak our disagreement through love. But I will continue to pray for our nation and all who live here.,
While I didn’t await your response on the matter, I appreciate your biblical response. In truth, we love.
Pastor Jeff,
I had no doubt about your position on this cruel issue. We love your take on this matter.
As you said it in your terms, our commitment to God should be from now on taken more serious. Jesus forsaw this before it happened. He will guide his people through. May you keep enjoying your sabbatical…and the Holy spitit visit with.
In Christ