Last Wednesday the Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. The court declared that same-sex couples who are legally married deserve equal rights to the benefits under federal law that go to all other married couples. That landmark decision moved America one step closer to a nationwide approval of same sex marriage. After reflecting on the far-reaching impact of that decision, here are some of my thoughts about how those of us who hold to a Biblical worldview should respond.
1. REMEMBER THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF TRUTH
Christians need to remember that right and wrong are not decided by a 5-4 vote of a fallible supreme court. Right and wrong are ultimately determined by an infallible Supreme Being who is the same yesterday, today and forever. He said, “Heaven and earth may pass away but my word will never pass away.”
Think about what the Supreme Court has endorsed. They have endorsed an attempt to overturn 6,000 years of human history. They have endorsed an attempt to override the principle established in the Declaration of Independence which states that, “We are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights.” Our founding fathers asserted the natural rights of a free people originate, not with government, but with God. So in reality the Supreme Court of the United States has endorsed an attempt to overrule God. Marriage is not just a civil union. Our Creator established marriage from the beginning as a religious union to be the basic building block of society.
Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell pointed out, “God’s Word, the Bible, nowhere sanctions same-sex marriage. God’s Word prohibits homosexual behavior and condemns a homosexual lifestyle. How can God then be said to be the source of the right to form a legal union that God specifically prohibits?”*
The Supreme Court is a powerful body. Yet there is an omnipotent God who is much more powerful to whom we must all give an account one day. And, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Gal. 6:7-8).
2. STAY CALM AND DON’T PANIC
Followers of Christ shouldn’t be surprised or alarmed about the rejection of the Bible and the undermining of traditional values. That downward spiral has happened to every major civilization in the past and that’s what the Bible predicts will happen in the future. Historian Arnold Toynbee concluded that almost every major civilization faded from relevance not because it was defeated by a more powerful external force, but it collapsed from within due to moral decay. Psalm 9:17 warns, “The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.” In 2 Timothy 3 the Apostle Paul predicted, “There will be terrible times in the last days” and then goes on to list the consequences of man’s rebellion against God. Paul’s foreboding list includes these phrases: “People will be lovers of themselves,…lovers of money,…disobedient to their parents,…without self-control,…not lovers of the good,…lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God,…swayed by all kinds of evil desires,…always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.”
When our nation rebels against God’s authority in deference to selfish desires, we are naturally concerned for our families and the people we love. Like the Old Testament prophets who warned Israel of the consequences of spiritual rebellion, we are compelled to sound a warning. Yet we should not be wringing our hands in desperation or hitting the panic button. God is still in control and His will is going to prevail. There’s an old proverb that states an eternal truth, “Though the mills of God’s justice grind slowly; they grind exceedingly fine.”
3. IDENTIFY THE CORE ISSUE
The real issue is deeper than whether two people of the same sex have a right to be legally married. The real issue is whether we are a nation that respects the Bible as the common consensus of truth or whether we are a nation where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. That means we are in a spiritual battle. From the beginning of recorded history marriage has been defined as a committed relationship between a man and woman. Jesus said, “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6).
The attempt to redefine marriage is the height of spiritual rebellion and human arrogance. Piers Morgan provided a timely example of such arrogance. According to a Huffington Post article, CNN host Morgan called for an “amendment” to the Bible to allow for same-sex marriage. Gay rights activist Masha Gessen recently declared to shouts of acclamation at a LGBT event that the goal of those seeking the right to “gay marriage” is actually to destroy the family altogether: “I agree it’s a no-brainer that we should have the right to marry, but I also think equally that it’s a no-brainer that the institution of marriage should not exist. . . . That causes my brain some trouble, and part of why it causes me trouble is because fighting for gay marriage generally involves lying about what we’re going to do with marriage when we get there, you know, because we lie that the institution of marriage is not going to change, and that is a lie. The institution of marriage is going to change and it should change. And again I don’t think it should exist.”
The Apostle Paul urged, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10-13).
4. STAND FIRM AND BE WILLING TO BE PERSECUTED FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE
The gap between the Christian and non-Christian is becoming more pronounced and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to straddle the fence these days. That’s good. Jesus said, “I’d rather you be hot or cold than to be lukewarm.” Either you stand for Christ and His Word or you don’t. Individuals and churches who attempt to gain favor with the world and twist the Scriptures to justify same sex marriage look foolish. It’s time for believers to fish or cut bait, or get out of the boat.
Christians should not be surprised that they are rapidly becoming the minority. We have been privileged to live in a rare place and time in America where Christianity was the norm. It’s not anymore. God-haters ridicule the Bible, the church and the institution of marriage, and they are determined to demonize anyone who stands for traditional values. Jesus, who was crucified for His stand for truth, said, ‘If the world hates me, it will hate you.” He said, ‘This is the verdict, light has come into the world but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”
Beginning with the first century, believers in Christ have usually been in the minority. Jesus said, “Narrow is the way that leads to life and few find it.” The Apostle Paul warned, “Everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it” (2 Tim. 3:12-14).
We can be encouraged by the fortunes of the early church. Rereading Acts 8, the church went viral in the first Century when persecution increased. We also see a rapid growth of Christianity in India, China and Africa where persecution is prevalent today. This past week my ministry hosted eight preachers from India who told specific cases of persecution against them; they also related accounts of their churches growing dramatically corresponding to the persecution. The Bible promises, “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20).
5. DON’T BE DUPED INTO AN ERRONEOUS ARGUMENT
There’s an old adage that even the most absurd lie will eventually be believed if it’s repeated often enough. We have been told repeatedly that people are born gay and therefore this is a civil rights issue. If this is a civil rights issue then those of us who call homosexuality a sin are dead wrong. However, the Bible teaches that we are all born with innate weaknesses because we inherit the sin nature of Adam. People choose to yield to their carnal natures or to resist that urge. Some are born with same sex attractions and youthful abuses often enhance their temptations. Yet the Bible instructs us to “Resist the evil desires that war against your soul.”
The government now encourages overweight people to cut back on sugar and get in shape. Obviously many are born with a predisposition to obesity. It’s not considered discriminating or unkind to overweight people to encourage self-discipline. It’s actually the loving thing to do. Some are born with an inclination to temper or adultery. The solution isn’t legalizing violence or polygamy. The Bible encourages us to deny self and take up our cross and follow Christ.
6. TREAT HOMOSEXUALS WITH LOVE AND RESPECT
The Bible commands us to love our families, our neighbors and our enemies. Even though some militant homosexuals have become aggressive bullies while claiming to be victims, we are to love them and be kind to them anyway. Even though some of the most venomous accusations come from those who ostensibly plead for tolerance, those who follow Christ are to be compassionate and patient with them anyway. Romans says, “If your enemy is hungry feed him, if he’s thirsty give him something to drink… Don’t be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:20-21).
7. SEE THE SPIRITUAL POSITIVES AND STAY VIGILANT
Ephesians 5:15 admonishes us to “…make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Even people who are not Christian instinctively know our days are becoming increasingly evil. The Bible says that God has written His word in our hearts. There are millions of good people who know our country has lost its spiritual equilibrium and they are searching for hope.
The Bible warns that one of the characteristics of a lost generation is that it will call good evil and evil good. Good people know something is drastically wrong when a professional athlete who announces he is gay is praised for his boldness and a professional athlete who bows a knee and thanks God is ridiculed for being obnoxious.
Forty years ago when the Supreme Court passed Roe v. Wade it ushered in a nationwide legalization of abortion on demand. Most speculated it would just be a matter of time until abortion was almost universally accepted. However, Christians across the country dug in their heels and began to fight for the protection of the unborn with increasing success. Now with the improved technology of ultrasounds, the tide has turned and the majority of Americans are pro-life.
A few years down the road, if God grants us time, there is the distinct possibility that millions will see the catastrophic results of counterfeit marriage and will demand a reversal of attitudes. In the meantime we need to stay vigilant, consistently speaking the truth in love, exalting Jesus Christ. And if someone pushes for an amendment to the constitution mandating the traditional definition of marriage we should get behind it without apology. This is no time to lose heart but to trust that the God, who parted the Red Sea when all seemed hopeless for the Israelite slaves, can work a miracle and open the way for us. So, “Don’t grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap a harvest if you don’t give up.”
8. PRAY FOR AND PUBLICLY SUPPORT CHRISTIAN LEADERS WHO STAND FOR TRUTH
When Dan Cathy of Chic-Fil-A stood boldly for marriage many Christians rallied to his side and supported Chic-Fil-A. That’s was good. Christians need to stand up for one another. If we sit idly by while our brothers and sisters are accosted and falsely accused of bigotry we will be picked off one by one.
Jesus prayed that His followers would be one so that the world would believe. Church leaders can’t fly under the radar and hope someone else will fight the battle for them. It’s time to “let the redeemed of the Lord to say so.” Let’s stand toe-to-toe with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are engaged in the conflict.
9. TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN TO HONOR GOD’S WORD BUT TO BE RESPECTFUL TO THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH THEM
One of the tragic consequences of the current situation is that children lose their innocence much too early. Today’s kids have to be taught about the facts of life at an earlier age than the previous generation. It’s imperative that our children be equipped to answer some tough questions. And they can’t be taught just once because they are bombarded with repeated anti-Biblical propaganda, so Christian parents and leaders must find ways to explain truth again and again.
When kids ask about their friends with two dads or why two women are kissing they need to be taught that we disagree with them but we care for them. Just as my parents taught me that we disagree with the neighbors who got drunk but, “They are still good in many ways and we need to be kind to them so they can come to know Jesus.”
10. MODEL A LOVING MARRIAGE
I had the funeral service for Vicki Catinna recently. Fifty-one years ago her husband Jim stood in front of a preacher and vowed to be faithful in sickness and health. He didn’t know then what that would mean. Vicki and Jim had a terrific marriage for four decades. Yet when she was in her late 50’s Vicki got dementia and within a year she didn’t recognize Jim. For the past decade he tenderly cared for her. He dressed her, fed her, walked with her and sang hymns with her. He took her to the zoo several times each month because she brightened up and smiled when she saw the animals. When asked prior to the funeral, “When was the last time Vicki responded to your love?” Jim said, “Four years ago I was changing her diaper and singing her favorite song, ‘Jesus Loves Me This I Know.’ About the fifth time I sang it, she brightened up and sang a line with me. I’ve treasured that moment for the last four years.”
That’s love. That’s loyalty. That’s an example of God’s faithfulness to us. If the world saw that kind of love and commitment in the homes of Christians, marriage would be so contagious that people would clamor to imitate it and anything else would be rejected as a pathetic counterfeit.
Simon Peter wrote, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12).