The issue of homosexuality is nothing new: mankind has suffered from every depravity of sin ever since the original sin in the Garden of Eden. However, in light of the decision last week by the Supreme Court saying that, by a 5-4 vote, same sex marriage is now the law of the land, many Christians are outraged.
Never mind that it is not the job of the Supreme Court to MAKE law, only to interpret the laws we have. Never mind that in every single state, including California, where this issue has been placed on the ballot, the voters have overwhelming defeated it.
Never mind that less than 4% of our population identifies themselves as homosexual. And never mind that never in the history of civilization has homosexuality ever been accepted as normal; in fact, it a well documented historical fact that every society given over to homosexual depravity has destroyed itself.
In view of all this, it isn't any wonder that so many people, Christian and non-Christian alike, are outraged and confused. How are we supposed to respond to a world that completely ignores not only plain Biblical teaching, but also the Constitution and laws of our nation?
There are a few important things we need to realize in light of all this. First and foremost is that our God is still Sovereign. He is still on the throne of glory, and He still reigns supreme over this nation, and every other nation in this world He created with merely a word. Not even the Supreme Court can vote Him out of office or remove Him from power. And being Sovereign, there is not one single thing that happens, good or bad, that is apart from His purpose.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no
power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Rom. 13:1)
The Bible reminds us that every government, authority or power, is ordained by God. They exist to serve His purpose. Daniel 2:21 also tells us He raises up kings and kingdoms, and He casts them down, as well. However powerful they might be, it is only by His greater power that they reign, right where He placed them. We need to realize that God is still the One in control. Our rulers will be held accountable by the Sovereign God himself, for how they wield their authority.
We may not understand why God would allow evil to flourish. It helps when we understand the difference between God's expressed will, as revealed by the Holy Bible, and His Sovereign will. God gave us freedom of choice: we can choose to obey His expressed will, or not. It is up to us. He will not force any of us to obey His expressed will. But His Sovereign will is another matter entirely. That cannot be transgressed by any one, for any purpose, in any way. It WILL BE DONE, just exactly as He intends. And as He is Sovereign, He is not required to always inform us of His intent or His reasons.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says
the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isa. 55:8-9)
Those who choose not to recognize God will not give any importance to the revealing of His will; they will not recognize the Bible as His authoritative word. Neither did we, at one time. It is only by His grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit within us, that we now recognize the difference between what God says is right and wrong, and what the world may consider right and wrong.
Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who
seek the Lord understand it fully. (Proverbs 28:12)
Secondly, we need to remember that homosexuality is not the “Super Sin”, elevating that sin above all others. Every sin is a transgression of God's expressed will. Every sin is equally detestable to our pure and Holy God. However, some sins have far greater consequences and a much more negative efffect on society. Homosexuality is just one of many sins that God hates, even while loving the sinner. And we need to do the same: hate the sin, but love the sinner, recognizing that we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God. Homosexuals are NOT our enemy; the battle is a spiritual one, not a battle against flesh and blood.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph. 6:12)
Third, we have to remember that Jesus loves all those living in homosexuality just as much as He loves us. We do not have to agree with their actions, but we also do not have to judge their actions. God will do that. Judgment of sin is His job, not ours. It may seem to us like He is allowing them to get by with their sin, but again, it is with a purpose: He wants them to repent, and is giving them ample opportunity to do so. We do not have an inside track to God's love and grace and mercy. He loves all sinners, and wants them to be saved.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)
Yes, our nation is definitely on a downhill slide into immorality and paganism. And it is sad that things have come to this state. This will only lead to more and more depraved, outrageous, evil actions. Sin is never satisfied; it never says “Okay, this is as far as I will go; I have gone far enough.” No, it is instead like an avalanche, it starts small, but just keeps building; gaining in size and power until it absolutely destroys everything in it's path. Lusts and perversions never back down, they continue to grow and demand more and more.
The last point I want to make is this: We wonder why God is allowing all this to go on. And we want to blame everyone else. But we have to look at our own actions, and ask
ourselves: Am I displaying Christ-likeness myself? Am I displaying His love and grace to the world around me every day of my life?
Do I read His word, pray and seek His will and His way, and faithfully live in obedience to His will?
Or have I allowed “little” sins to develop and flourish in my life? Am I hypocritical, closing my eyes to my own sin, while pointing out the glaring sins of others?
And why behold you the speck that is in your brother's eye, but consider
not the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you say to your brother,
Let me pull the speck out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall
you see clearly to cast out the speck out of your brother's eye. (Matt. 7:3-5)
You see, often God allows evil to flourish for a season because of the faithlessness of His people. In the Bible, we see numerous times where the actions of God's people determined what kind of leaders they would have. Obedience is always a critical issue with God. Evil rulers were oftentimes used of God as His arm of correction, to punish His people for their disobedience, and to make them turn back to Him. It is important to remember that the goal of God's punishment is always to make His people turn away from their disobedience and back to Him, not just to make them suffer. He will allow suffering, but there is a purpose for it.
We are called to be the salt and light of the world. To be shining bright examples of Godliness in a world darkened by sin. To show the love of God to all those around us, not just to a select few whose lifestyles we happen to approve of. And unless we are doing this, we have to take the words of Jesus to heart ourselves, and cast the beam out of our own eye first, before we start trying to remove the splinter from someone else's.
I don't like the way our country is going. But I have to change things God's way, not my own. The issue of same sex marriage is not going to be won by stridently arguing our case for God's definition of marriage. It is not going to be won by attacking those on the opposing side, pointing out their flagrant violation of God's laws. It is not going to be won in court, not when the Supreme Court of this nation has given it's support and approval. It isn't even going to be won in the voting booth, by electing officials who are Godly leaders, who will stand up for God's truths.
No, there is only one way we can ever hope to stop this downhill slide this country is on. And it starts with us, each and every one of us. Individually and collectively, we must do it God's way: We must humble ourselves before our Almighty God, confess our sins and those of our our nation, and turn away from them. We must pray, not just once in a while, not just once a week, even, but earnestly pray and seek God's face. That is the only possible way to turn around all the wrong in this nation. It is the only possible way for our country to be healed. Doing anything else is just a waste of time and energy.
If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear
from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.. (II Chron. 7:14)
