Wait, What Just Happened?
Previously posted on June 29, 2015.
What you are about to read is not the subject I expected to be writing about in my first blog post. I thought it would be about something I learned in my seminary studies or perhaps a story concerning my life in a wheelchair because of my disability (hence the name "The Wheel Truth"). But no, it is about something quite different and even controversial. As a Christian and pastor, I felt it necessary to share my thoughts and reactions to the recent Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex "marriage" in all 50 states. If you're beginning to become worried, just read the next paragraph.
DO NOT think for a second this decision is going to keep me from loving anyone. I've been created by God to love Him and others. The only reason I love is found in 1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us." Whether you're reading this as a homosexual, a straight person, someone with a different ethnicity, a supporter of same-sex marriage or even my enemy, you must know that I love you. Let me repeat that, I LOVE YOU. YES, YOU!
Now that I have established the fact that you are loved, I must say I disagree with the Supreme Court's decision because it goes against biblical principles ordained by God. Even if I disagree with you on this matter, that does not mean I hate you. You're still loved by me and many other Christians. Yes, many "Christians" have shown hate toward those who want or agree with same-sex "marriage," but that is not the proper response for anyone. If you agree with this decision I would like to tell you that "you're wrong and you're loved." Despite politically correctness or popular opinion, it is possible to disagree with someone AND love them. These two are not mutually exclusive.
I disagree with same-sex "marriage" because I believe that marriage is an institution created by God for one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-5). Anything that goes outside of this definition would be considered sin in the eyes of God as affirmed in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). I know there are arguments against this, which I find invalid, that I could address, but defending against arguments is not the point of this post. The point of this post is to show that I am grieved and saddened by those I know who agree with and even celebrate this decision that affirms sin. It would be like celebrating continual lying or stealing or murder.
People who deviate from God's standards whether in the area of homosexuality or otherwise are called sinners. The thing is, I am a sinner as well. I don't claim to be better than anyone because I disagree with them on this issue. Because we are sinners separated from God (Romans 3:23) we all need forgiveness, and we have no hope without God. In fact, without God hell (yes, it's a real place) is where everybody is destined. The greatest news is that love wins, or at least it can in your life.
By using the phrase "love wins" I don't use it in the way that supporters of same-sex "marriage" use it. Ultimately, love does win, but it's not for the reasons supporters of this decision think. Here are the reasons that love wins. I'm sure many of you have heard this verse:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16
Also consider these verses:
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8
You see, the real reason that love wins is because Christ gave his life for you and me despite our sin. I have sinned more than I care to admit, but God loved me and gave his life for me. It doesn't matter what your sin is, anyone who realizes their need for a Savior, turns to Christ, believes in him and repents from their sin can receive eternal life.
If you have read this far I must congratulate you, especially if you don't agree with me. If you do not believe in Christ my sincerest hope is that you would believe. At the very least, know that there are genuine Christians that love you, including myself. If you are a Christian I would encourage you to take the stance which I have described above. We must stand on the truth of God's word and love others in the hopes that some might be saved.
