Love and Consistency

Understandably, many Christians are upset about the recent Supreme Court ruling to legalize homosexual marriage throughout the United States. It appears that there are those in positions of power who are doing their best to steer us further and further away from God and His law.

How are Christians to react? In what way should we respond? We are at a point in time where the Christians have a great opportunity to let our light shine. It is my hope that each of us will prayerfully consider how we respond not only to the homosexual community, but those engage in any sinful lifestyle. I want to offer a couple of suggestions on how we should respond to those engage in a homosexual lifestyle.

1. With Love - God loves those who are made in His image. That being said, every single person on earth is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27, John 3:16). God loves those involved in homosexuality, murderers, thieves, liars, cheaters, adulterers, etc. There is not a sinner on the planet that God didn't send His Son to die for, and He wants them to repent. God desires that every human live a life which will allow them to spend eternity in heaven (2 Peter 3:9). We must answer this sin and all sin the way God does, with love for the sinner and a desire to help them leave the sinful lifestyle.

2. With Balance - Social media has exploded over the last week or so with the news of the Supreme Court decision. People have rushed to their keyboards to express their support for traditional marriage and their desire to maintain it. That is right and it is good, but we must be consistent. Are we as passionate about helping those in unscriptural marriages understand the errors in their ways? What about those engage in sexual activity outside the marriage bond? We must be consistent when defending God’s plan for marriage. Without consistency our voices become smaller to the world around us.

Christians, let us be upset about sin. Let us be upset about all sins, including our own (Romans 3:23). The church is at a point where she can do much good in the world. Purpose to be a light to this lost and dying world today and each day God allows the world to stand!

But I want to legislate morality!

After His arrest, it was the court of public opinion which lead to the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pilate gave the howling mob a choice between releasing Barabbas, a known criminal, and Jesus Christ. When given the opportunity to release Jesus, the crowd shouted, “not this man, but Barabbas” (John 18:40). The tide of public opinion had become so corrupt that they desired a robber be released over and innocent man.

Though Pilate found no fault in Him (John 19:6), and tried to reason with the mob, he could not save the Son of God. The religious leaders of the day stirred the crowd, and the crowd responded by yelling out, “crucify Him, crucify Him!" (John 19:15).

Looking back on the events of Jesus’ life it is easy to see the dangers presented when “the court of public opinion” is allowed to rule. Whether this is the “public opinion” of the world, or the church, Christians must follow God. We must be careful to not allow the commandments of the Father to become subject to a popularity contest. In recent years, months, and even days, we have seen just that happen. The public, and her courts have ruled time and time again against God.

Does a court ruling or the tide of public opinion have any bearing on the commandments of God? Certainly not! We must always remember that God is not subject to us, but we are to be in subjection to Him. We do not have the right to simply throw out His Word because of what we perceive as “fairness” or our “rights.” When approaching Scripture we are to always remember “His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.”

So what are we to do when “popular opinion” seems to turn away from God? One word, love. Love the people who reject Him. Love the people who choose the world and its riches over becoming a child of the King. Love the people who make fun of you for trying to follow God’s law above that of man’s law. Love.

We cannot legislate morality, it is a choice. We cannot force people to love and obey God, it is a choice. We CAN choose to love those made in His image. Love.