My Response to SCOTUS and the Same Sex Marriage Ruling

I have been practicing James 1:19 “Everyone should be quick to listen and slow to speak” ever since the Supreme Court ruling to redefine marriage. I have spent much time in scripture, prayer, reading and listening to your varied thoughts and feelings on this sensitive and volatile issue.

Here is my response.

Some of the best, smart, talented, fun, interesting, generous, energetic, loving people I know are gay. Several are a part of Pathway. Some of the most obnoxious, challenging, mean, judgmental, selfish, lazy people I know are straight. Some are a part of Pathway. But as I read the scriptures as a whole especially through the eyes and words of Jesus, I sincerely believe, even with deep anguish for those I like and love, same sex marriage is not a part of God’s plan for humanity. God’s plan for marriage is one male and one female, equally yoked in Christ for life. (Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:24-32; Hebrews 13:4)

I believe it is an oversimplification to say that Christians, or evangelicals, are simply against same sex marriage. We are not to be an advocate for any behavior or lifestyle that is against God’s plan and restrains people from everlasting joy in God. Same sex marriage, is just getting all the press because, at this cultural moment, it’s the main non God approved life practice that is being endorsed in our society by the powers that be.

Some would like to see this whole issue of homosexuality and same sex marriage divided into two camps: those who celebrate it and those who hate it. Both of these groups exist in our society. There are growing numbers, under great societal pressure, who praise same sex marriage. For conversation purposes, we call them the left. And there are people who hate homosexuality and same sex marriage, with the most bigoted rationale and apart from any Christian concern. We call them the right.

The current debate is plagued by this binary lens, the left and the right. Those on the left try to lump everyone who disagrees with them into that right side. “If you don’t support, you hate.” Meanwhile, those on the right see compromise and spinelessness in anyone who doesn’t get red-faced and militant. “If you don’t hate, you support.”

But Jesus Followers, true disciples, will walk neither path. We have something to say that no one else is saying, or can say.

Distancing ourselves from both the left and the right, we don’t celebrate same sex marriage. We acknowledge according to both the written and Living Word that God’s plan for humanity is one man and one woman equally yoked in Christ for life.  But neither do we hate those who embrace homosexuality or same sex marriage. We love them enough to not just collapse under the societal pressure. We speak the truth in love into this confusion, saying, simultaneously, “Same sex marriage is not God’s plan” and “I love you.” We’re not the left and we’re not the right. We speak good news, with those sweetest, deepest, most glorious words of the cross, the same words that God spoke to ALL of us … “I do not condone your lifestyle behaviors and I love you.”

God tells us we are all sinners, heterosexual and homosexual, and that the wages of sin is death. (Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:13)  God also tells us we’re loved, that even while we were sinners, Jesus died for us. That while we were unrighteous, Jesus died on the cross for our sins. (Romans 5:8; I Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:1-7)

That’s the unique voice of the Christian. I saw this quote on someone’s face book page and thought it nailed our current condition. “We (not just they) are far worse than we ever imagined, and far more loved than we could ever dream.”

That’s our message in this cultural shift. When the left says we are haters and the right says we are spineless, when the “spiritually elite” look down on us and when the “spiritual existentialists” vilify us, when no one else has the resources to say anything outside of those two extremes, we have this incomparable opportunity to let the gospel shine, to reach out in grace. “Same sex marriage is not a part of God’s plan, but I love you.” Or “We (not just you) are far worse than we ever imagined, and far more loved than we could ever dream.”

I am praying for you. Please pray for me as together we lovingly navigate through this ever changing cultural landscape while striving to stay true to Jesus and the Gospel.

Jesus is Lord!

Rick

Season of Preparation, Remembrance

The season of Lent originated in the 4^th century as a 40-day preparation for those who wanted to be baptized.  It was a time of concentrated study and prayer before their baptism on Easter.  Over time the entire faith community was called to join those preparing for baptism in the disciplines of prayer, fasting and the study of scripture so they were better ready to receive and disciple the new followers of Jesus.

Today, Lent is a 40-day time of
introspection, self-examination and repentance for new and long timers in the faith. The number 40 is connected to many events in Scripture, but especially with the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness resisting temptation before beginning his three-year journey to the cross.

Ash Wednesday is always the first day of Lent.  Its name comes from the ancient practice of placing ashes on worshipers’ foreheads as a sign of humility before God, a symbol of mourning and sorrow at the death sin brings into the world.  On Ash Wednesday we begin reflecting on what needs to change in our lives so we can better live an authentic Christian life. 

Lent is a spiritual pilgrimage through a very secular culture. It is where we set our focus on following Jesus in the midst of all our distractions, even if it means taking up our own cross.

Join us this Wednesday, February 18^th at 7:00 PM in the ARC for Ash Wednesday Worship.  You will receive the ashen cross upon your forehead or hand, your choice, and then be invited to spend some time in prayer and personal reflection. The entire service will last about 30 minutes but you can remain as long as you like to pray or simply be still in the presence of God.

Lenten Journals will be available in the ARC foyer, $3 each, beginning Ash Wednesday.

This weekend, February 21-22, we begin a new message series titled “Impact.” We will be learning about the Impact Jesus had upon those who encountered him in a personal way and how to posture ourselves to experience the same.  We are also providing a short video lesson each week during Lent for all small groups that will coincide with the weekend message. 

Invite a friend and I will see you in worship, Wednesday and this weekend, as together we continue to intentionally “grow up” into our faith.

I am praying for you! Please pray for me.

Rick