Let's get everything out on the table. Although I expected the Supreme Court to rule as it did on gay marriage, it was surprisingly upsetting to me. I am a Christian and I understand that marriage is "...instituted of God..." and is between a man and a woman. I don't agree with gay marriage, and I never will. But at the same time, I understand why gay people want to be included: They want acceptance, just like you and me.
So although I don't agree with gay marriage, I can understand their logic behind it, their desire to be included. I may not like the decision, but gay people understandably think of this as monumental.
I have a measure of respect for sincere liberals and homosexuals who see this as a civil right issue. I have greater respect for them than I do for the politicians or those who are "leaders" in the Christian culture who have crawled onto that bandwagon for political or social expedience--some at the very last moment. I don't see them as having become 'enlightened', I see them as willows in the wind, bending with every prevailing political and moral breeze. "Will this buy some votes? Can I increase my popularity? Count me in!!" There is ample scriptural evidence to support the premise that marriage is reserved for male and female pairing, and on that rock is where we should stand.
That's one side of the coin. The other is the position taken by certain 'christians' who are hell-bent (literally, it seems) on wiping homosexuals from the face of the earth, like the Fred Phelps mob out of Kansas, or closer to home, "Pastor" Steven Anderson in Arizona who has stated he believes all homosexuals are pedophiles, and that they should all be killed.
How outrageous: God doesn't hate gay people. If God hated gay people for homosexual sin, then he would also hate the Fred Phelps types for arrogance and pride ("For all have sinned..."), and he would hate Steven Anderson ("...and fall short of the glory of God.") for advocating murder. And he would also hate the person writing and those reading this blog. Thankfully, we live in the age of grace, brought to you by Jesus Christ.
So, where do we go from here? Believers in Christ have to remember that though we are saved by grace, we are no different from homosexuals when it comes to sin. Period. And though we must abide by Biblical teachings about homosexuality, and oppose what we know is wrong, we must do so not as moral superiors, but as sinners ourselves.
You know, the whole thing is so simple, and I like others get so wrapped up in the "headline of the day" that I forget that Job One is to represent Christ. It's not our job to "fix" gay people.
Gay people are much like you and me. They live on Elm Street, USA; they drive Toyotas or F150 pickups to work; they like to go to restaurants for a good dinner. A gay man in California with whom I have had a long-standing friendship often converse via facebook on a number of subjects, including homosexual issues. My wife had lunch with a lesbian coworker who had concerns about her mother's health. Sure, they look at some areas of life from a different viewpoint, but let's not let the divide grow by finger pointing or rejecting them. Like everyone else, including you and me, they need the light of Jesus Christ in their life. There will always be a point of tension between who we are and who they are, but If we minister sincerely, as real friends, everyone will win.
So although I don't agree with gay marriage, I can understand their logic behind it, their desire to be included. I may not like the decision, but gay people understandably think of this as monumental.
I have a measure of respect for sincere liberals and homosexuals who see this as a civil right issue. I have greater respect for them than I do for the politicians or those who are "leaders" in the Christian culture who have crawled onto that bandwagon for political or social expedience--some at the very last moment. I don't see them as having become 'enlightened', I see them as willows in the wind, bending with every prevailing political and moral breeze. "Will this buy some votes? Can I increase my popularity? Count me in!!" There is ample scriptural evidence to support the premise that marriage is reserved for male and female pairing, and on that rock is where we should stand.
That's one side of the coin. The other is the position taken by certain 'christians' who are hell-bent (literally, it seems) on wiping homosexuals from the face of the earth, like the Fred Phelps mob out of Kansas, or closer to home, "Pastor" Steven Anderson in Arizona who has stated he believes all homosexuals are pedophiles, and that they should all be killed.
How outrageous: God doesn't hate gay people. If God hated gay people for homosexual sin, then he would also hate the Fred Phelps types for arrogance and pride ("For all have sinned..."), and he would hate Steven Anderson ("...and fall short of the glory of God.") for advocating murder. And he would also hate the person writing and those reading this blog. Thankfully, we live in the age of grace, brought to you by Jesus Christ.
So, where do we go from here? Believers in Christ have to remember that though we are saved by grace, we are no different from homosexuals when it comes to sin. Period. And though we must abide by Biblical teachings about homosexuality, and oppose what we know is wrong, we must do so not as moral superiors, but as sinners ourselves.
You know, the whole thing is so simple, and I like others get so wrapped up in the "headline of the day" that I forget that Job One is to represent Christ. It's not our job to "fix" gay people.
Gay people are much like you and me. They live on Elm Street, USA; they drive Toyotas or F150 pickups to work; they like to go to restaurants for a good dinner. A gay man in California with whom I have had a long-standing friendship often converse via facebook on a number of subjects, including homosexual issues. My wife had lunch with a lesbian coworker who had concerns about her mother's health. Sure, they look at some areas of life from a different viewpoint, but let's not let the divide grow by finger pointing or rejecting them. Like everyone else, including you and me, they need the light of Jesus Christ in their life. There will always be a point of tension between who we are and who they are, but If we minister sincerely, as real friends, everyone will win.
