Can We Talk About Same-Sex Marriage?
Ashley Chesnut
I was stuck in traffic for 1 1/2 hour today, so I listened to NPR, hoping for commentary on yesterday's landmark decisions by the Supreme Court regarding same-sex marriage. You know what I heard? A dialogue about African American perspectives on natural hair, an update on the George Zimmerman case, a diatribe about immigration reform, and an explanation about filibusters and the Texas abortion bill. Heading into the second hour, I finally heard someone mention yesterday's court decision, but that's all it was - a brief mention!
Can we just pause for a moment and talk about what happened? And pray? And grieve? And give thanks?
"Give thanks?" you might be wondering. Let me explain. Ultimately, we don't look to the Supreme Court or to our federal or state legislatures to define marriage. We look to God and what He states in Scripture. This is what Pastor David was getting at last night in Fox 6's coverage of the Supreme Court ruling and in this past Sunday's sermon on "The Cross and Christian Sexuality (Part 1)." Am I concerned that our nation would support same-sex marriage? Yes. But my hope is not in our government. My hope is in Christ, and I trust in His sovereignty and in His ability to work all things together for His glory.
So what are the implications for the Supreme Court's decisions? If you want to learn more, I encourage you to read this article from The Gospel Coalition on "9 Things You Should Know About the Supreme Court's Same-Sex Marriage Cases."
For those with LBGT family, friends, and co-workers, consider your witness in how you express your opinions in the days ahead. We can clearly communicate a belief in God instituting marriage to be between one man and one woman (Gen. 2), but do so in a humble, loving manner. We can care for the person and respect them without agreeing with them. Think of how Jesus treated the sinners He encountered. Think of how Jesus treats us as Christians, those who are saved by grace through faith. Does that describe how we treat those around us, including people who are LBGT? Are we known more for what we are for or what we are against?
And just to clarify, the degradation of marriage in this country began occurring long before June 26, 2013. Extramarital Affairs. Premarital Sex. Divorce. Pornography. And the list goes on. Christians are up in arms about the legalization of same-sex marriage, but are believers concerned about presenting an accurate Ephesians 5 picture of the relationship between Christ and the church? Are we concerned enough that we come alongside each other as a church to strengthen marriages, to hold each other accountable, and to address sin? We as Christ-followers have an incredible opportunity to be a witness through marriage - marriages that last "till death do us part," marriages that are between one man and one woman, marriages where both spouses remain faithful. Will we step up as the Church in this area? Will you strive for purity and for righteousness in your own life? Will you wholeheartedly follow Christ and grow in relationship with Him?
Because of our sin nature, we are all inclined towards sexual deviance (see 1 Thess. 4:3-8). Homosexuality is just one of the ways our sinful inclination can express itself, and we would be hypocrites to make much about this one sin when we all struggle in some way or another. We shouldn't be selective in moral outrage against the sin of homosexuality (and, yes, homosexuality is a sin - see Romans 1). Let's all take a look at the 2 x 4's in our own eyes before going after the specks in others' eyes. What sin do you need to confess? How has sin disordered your own heart, thoughts, desires, and actions?
Look to Christ in all of this. Intercede for our country. Pray for our lawmakers. And on a more personal level, run after purity in your own life. Provide loving accountability for fellow believers. If you're married, faithfully love and serve your husband or wife. Support and encourage those who are married. And remember the forgiveness of Christ who died for ALL sin in order to provide forgiveness to ALL who turn from their sin and trust in Him as Savior and Lord.
If you would like to read other articles and blog posts about the Supreme Court decision, I recommend the following:
Can we just pause for a moment and talk about what happened? And pray? And grieve? And give thanks?
"Give thanks?" you might be wondering. Let me explain. Ultimately, we don't look to the Supreme Court or to our federal or state legislatures to define marriage. We look to God and what He states in Scripture. This is what Pastor David was getting at last night in Fox 6's coverage of the Supreme Court ruling and in this past Sunday's sermon on "The Cross and Christian Sexuality (Part 1)." Am I concerned that our nation would support same-sex marriage? Yes. But my hope is not in our government. My hope is in Christ, and I trust in His sovereignty and in His ability to work all things together for His glory.
So what are the implications for the Supreme Court's decisions? If you want to learn more, I encourage you to read this article from The Gospel Coalition on "9 Things You Should Know About the Supreme Court's Same-Sex Marriage Cases."
For those with LBGT family, friends, and co-workers, consider your witness in how you express your opinions in the days ahead. We can clearly communicate a belief in God instituting marriage to be between one man and one woman (Gen. 2), but do so in a humble, loving manner. We can care for the person and respect them without agreeing with them. Think of how Jesus treated the sinners He encountered. Think of how Jesus treats us as Christians, those who are saved by grace through faith. Does that describe how we treat those around us, including people who are LBGT? Are we known more for what we are for or what we are against?
And just to clarify, the degradation of marriage in this country began occurring long before June 26, 2013. Extramarital Affairs. Premarital Sex. Divorce. Pornography. And the list goes on. Christians are up in arms about the legalization of same-sex marriage, but are believers concerned about presenting an accurate Ephesians 5 picture of the relationship between Christ and the church? Are we concerned enough that we come alongside each other as a church to strengthen marriages, to hold each other accountable, and to address sin? We as Christ-followers have an incredible opportunity to be a witness through marriage - marriages that last "till death do us part," marriages that are between one man and one woman, marriages where both spouses remain faithful. Will we step up as the Church in this area? Will you strive for purity and for righteousness in your own life? Will you wholeheartedly follow Christ and grow in relationship with Him?
Because of our sin nature, we are all inclined towards sexual deviance (see 1 Thess. 4:3-8). Homosexuality is just one of the ways our sinful inclination can express itself, and we would be hypocrites to make much about this one sin when we all struggle in some way or another. We shouldn't be selective in moral outrage against the sin of homosexuality (and, yes, homosexuality is a sin - see Romans 1). Let's all take a look at the 2 x 4's in our own eyes before going after the specks in others' eyes. What sin do you need to confess? How has sin disordered your own heart, thoughts, desires, and actions?
Look to Christ in all of this. Intercede for our country. Pray for our lawmakers. And on a more personal level, run after purity in your own life. Provide loving accountability for fellow believers. If you're married, faithfully love and serve your husband or wife. Support and encourage those who are married. And remember the forgiveness of Christ who died for ALL sin in order to provide forgiveness to ALL who turn from their sin and trust in Him as Savior and Lord.
If you would like to read other articles and blog posts about the Supreme Court decision, I recommend the following:
- "How Should Same-Sex Marriage Change the Church's Witness?" by Russell Moore
- "Why Gay Marriage is Good (and Bad) for the Church" by Trevin Wax
- "'Waiting for the Other Shoe' - The Supreme Court Rules on Same-Sex Marriage" by Al Mohler
- "Russell Moore on the Supreme Court's DOMA Decision" from The Gospel Coalition (audio)
- "Religious Liberty and the Gay Marriage Endgame" by Ross Douthat (NY Times)