.
It was with extreme disappointment, but not much surprise
that I heard the news of the decision by the Supreme Court of the United
States (SCOTUS) regarding same sex marriage. I was shocked and
dismayed, however, to see the nation's presidential residence bathed in
the colors of the LBGT movement. I have heard the president repeatedly
state that he is the president of all the people of the United States.
So, how do 2 - 3% of the entire population shape the argument and define
the agenda for the other 97+% of the people in this nation? The answer
is not necessarily a simple one, and assuredly, there is not a single
answer. What is obvious, however, is the overwhelming sense of
complacency and the deep misunderstanding of what tolerance actually
means There is also a frustrating lack of moral integrity gripping our
nation, a shortcoming that has enormous consequences.
Our
founding fathers, who were mostly deists, but generally Christian in
their perspective, may well be turning over in their graves - not
because the decision was rendered, but that the decision even reached
the point of being brought before the court. In this decision, SCOTUS
took a giant swipe at the Constitution, overriding the rightfully
legislated processes of many states. Actually, SCOTUS enacted Federal
Legislation from the bench, without Congress, without referendum, and
without precedent in National Law. Amazing!
But the greater
tragedy is to be found within the Church. The level of confusion among
those who claim to be Christians, people who have complete access to the
Holy Scriptures, is simply astounding. For more than a century and a
half, the integrity of the Bible has been being challenged by liberal
theologians. It has been parsed and piece-mealed, its message shredded
by opinions of men, rather than the counsel of God. The distinct and
undeniable prohibition against sexual misconduct of every sort is either
wholly misunderstood or conscientiously ignored. Every form of sexual
misconduct is condemned in Scripture. Adultery, fornication, sex with
children, with animals, and with close relatives (cousins, uncles,
aunts, etc.) are all specifically addressed. So is homosexuality,
beastiality, and necromancy.
The LGBT community, a group that is
marginalized and ostracized by the greater community, defends their
sexual departure from Scripture with claims of genetic determination.
Thus, they have shaped their agenda as social, not moral. However, it is
a moral issue, far more than merely a social one.There is no science to
back up genetic disposition to homosexuality, only psychological
hypothesis. Same sex attraction undoubtedly occurs, but that is not
evidence of genetics. Moreover, the miniscule proportion of those who
are "trans-gender" individuals, regardless of surgical and chemical
transformation, does not and cannot change DNA. That these individuals
command so much attention from the general public is attributable more
to the oddity of their condition than to its normalcy.
LGBT
behavior, regardless of the claims of its participants, is driven by
personal choice. These individuals choose to pursue these lifestyles.
Many, perhaps most, believe they could make no other choice without
enduring lasting personal emotional pain. I cannot intelligently
address such convictions. I sincerely believe that to be more convenient
than irresistible, the personal defense for choices which have been
made.
As an American, a military veteran, and a patriot, I defend
the right of people to make such choices. But that does not assume I
agree with them. I believe those choices to be ill-advised and in direct
contradiction to Holy Writ. But many Christians violate the tenants of
their faith, as do many Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and followers of
other religions. To assume LGBT behavior to be more wicked than other
forms of sexual departure from Scripture is indefensible. But that does
not make such behavior right, or perhaps a bit more right than other
such activities.
Murder is wrong. Stealing is wrong, Adultery is
wrong. Just as slavery, pornography, drunkenness, and a vast array of
other moral violations are wrong. Weighing one against the other does
not make it right, even if it seems to be more right.
As a
minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, my faith draws me to a love of
God's children, uniquely created in His image. That love is informed by a
kind of love of which only God is capable. But just the same way I
would not and cannot give myself to embracing the sin in my own life as
acceptable to Him, I understand that He accepts me, even better than I
do myself. And He is able to extend His grace, His mercy, and His
redemption beyond my ability to understand. He does not, however,
require me to accept, embrace, or tolerate violations of His will and
Word as being acceptable behaviors, acceptable practices, or those which
should be advanced within a moral, God-seeking, and God-fearing
community, not for myself and not for others.
The line is
difficult to draw, not because I cannot draw it, but because those who
oppose it want to define it incorrectly. I am not a "homophobe," a gay
basher or hater, or anything of the sort. I am simply a man who is
determined to walk as closely to God as I can, to confess my sins early
rather than late, to repent and turn from them, and to receive His
forgiveness. For those who walk in the wickedness of murder, child
exploitation, adultery, stealing, and the vast array of other sins,
there is forgiveness. But, there is also a requirement of
transformation, a requirement to stop sinning and live righteously. This
is also true for those who are within the LGBT world. If they truly
want to experience the fulness of God's favor, they will, of necessity,
be forced to deal with biblical morality. Either that, or they will not
experience the fulness of their Christian possibilities - even though
they may be believers.
I do not suggest that these individuals
should be banned from the Church. Rather, I believe the Church to be the
redemptive community which can offer grace and the transforming love
that people in moral failure need. We all need God's grace, His mercy,
and His love. Raising walls of separation that constrain or prevent the
flow of such grace seems wholly unChristian. Just as does tearing down
moral imperatives that have been clearly and concisely laid out in
Scripture. The balance must be found in embracing the spiritual
transformation which comes when the Holy Spirit has free reign in every
heart. Until then, upholding the moral standards of Scripture and living
lives of Godly love continues to be a somewhat precarious balancing act
for many.
On either side of this issue are good people with
honest convictions. Most assuredly, we will not all agree. But there is
sufficient grace in God to cover what I personally may not be able to
realize. God's love is far too vast to be stymied by the limitations of
my perceptions, or anyone else's, for that matter. Yet, there is this -
the Holy Bible - the definitive, uncompromising, and inspired Word of
God. Leave that behind and any choices people make easily become
acceptable to other people. Hold fast to that Word, however, and the
choices are governed by a much higher standard, the moral boundaries God
has laid down. We may fall short of perfect obedience, or even of Godly
love. That does not give us license to overturn the moral imperatives
of our faith or change the reality of God's Word.
