The Supreme Court will rule on same-sex marriages any day (maybe even before you read this). Our local courts are preparing for Michigan’s ban to be overturned (See Lenawee Preparing to Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses).
My hope and prayer is that our Supreme Court will uphold the right for each state to decide this issue for their own citizens. Michigan, and many other states, have already decided against same-sex marriages. In 2004, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment, Michigan Proposal 04-2, that banned same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state. It passed with 58.6% of the vote.
It really bothers me that a majority of citizens can define that marriage is a man and a woman, place it in the state constitution, but judges can overturn that vote. Some may argue that ‘it doesn’t matter how the majority votes – if an amendment is wrong, it should be eliminated.’ I agree. But my issue is ‘who’ decides if an amendment, law, or practice is wrong?
The majority has often been wrong. For example, Jewish leaders ‘voted’ not to enter the Promised Land under Moses and that resulted in 40 years of wandering. Judges are not without mistakes. In 1857 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the ‘Dred Scott case’ that African Americans were not U.S. citizens and had no right to sue in federal court.
So who decides right and wrong?
I believe an all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal God is capable and has already written a code of ethics. The Bible not only gives principles to live by but commands to obey. These are not restrictions to imprison us but barriers to protect us. The Bible specifically calls homosexual behavior sin (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-11).
So what does a Christian do if the U.S. Supreme Court decides that same-sex marriage is okay? I think it is important to respond with three attitudes.
1. Stand.
I think the sexual/gender issues of our day are going to be crucial to the future of Christianity. Jesus warned us that following Him would not be easy. And we are going to feel the pressure to accept modern society’s norms. The LGBT community has embraced their fight as an extension of the civil rights movement. To stand against this sin is not going to be popular and may even be dangerous. But we are called to stand for truth.
I am reminded of three Hebrew boys who were pressured to bow to a king’s idol in Babylon. Their response is one of wisdom and courage: “…we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, your majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18).
Each of us will need to determine how aggressive we will stand. But it is imperative that we determine to stand.
2. Love.
One of the attitudes that many cannot grasp is how you can believe an action is wrong but still love the people who commit those wrongs. Only God can give you a love like that because that’s the kind of love He give us. It’s the kind of love the families of the murdered church members of Emanuel AME Church extended to Dylann Roof when they forgave him. It’s the kind of love that Jesus extended to those who were in the act of nailing Him to a cross by saying “Father, forgive them.” I am not equating these horrific sins with homosexuality. I am simply reminding you that Christians are to be known for love, not hate.
We must be careful to reprove the practice and not the people. Those who are participants in the LGBT society are not to be feared, ridiculed, or hated. The church should be a haven of forgiveness and healing for anyone repentant without compromising its stance against sinful behavior.
3. Pray.
I think most of the problems of society is not a result of those who do not believe in God. We can blame bad stuff on all kinds of ‘bad’ people. But lack of prayer from Christians is a primary cause. So, pray!
Pray for our country, especially our leaders. If we would pray for our President and other government leaders (no matter who he/she is) as much as we criticize, maybe we wouldn’t have as much to criticize.
Pray for those who are involved in sin. It is not God’s will that anyone should be bound by sin. His grace is sufficient to bring victory to those who are wiling to submit to Him. If you know someone who is involved in this lifestyle, commit them to God in faith.
Pray for yourself. Ask God to give you the grace to love those who see this issue different that you do. If you are not tempted in this area, realize that you have your own sins to deal with. It is easy to overlook our sins while remaining outraged at others. We must not participate in sin or condone it in any way. We cannot be selective about what we condemn or excuse.
How will you respond to this highly explosive issue?
You can read some of my other posts on this topic: Trying to Find Balance in the Homosexual Issue, Phil Robertson Stands Up For Truth, 5 Reasons Why The Bible Is True.