So many others are doing it, I decided I’d chime in about my thoughts on Friday’s Supreme Court ruling making same sex marriage legal in all 50 states. I would rather not engage as I have the tendency to shy away from controversial topics. But here I go and I’m directing this post to my Christian brothers and sisters.

First of all, as I scrolled through my Facebook feed following the news, I was saddened and frustrated by the posts of ecstasy or dismay depending on which side people were on. As a Christian this is surreal to me because I never imagined a time when marriage would be a topic of debate or division. It just always was what it was—marriage between a man and a woman—and it never entered my mind that marriage would or could mean anything else. It is understandably quite shocking when you stand way back and look at it from the broader perspective from the present day back down through history. And yes, for the record, I believe God instituted marriage from the very beginning as being between a man and a woman as emphasized many times throughout Scripture.

Having said that, to my Christian friends I would say that if you have already come to realize the trajectory we are on, this ruling should come as no surprise. Many events are taking place in our country and our world that should wake us up to the fact that these are not normal times we’re living in. Jesus said these things must take place, meaning all the signs he talks about in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 that would occur before his return. Even though we may not like it, things are falling into place now just like the Scriptures said they would before Jesus was born and entered the world the first time. God is still in control and we should never lose sight of that.

I don’t like to see political debate taking place on Facebook or other social media outlets because the argument has been so narrowly framed — we are either for Love or we are for Hate, and Love means we support same sex couples marrying and if we don’t then we fall into the Hate category. We know this isn’t true so what saddens me the most is how Christians are perceived when we like or post things to the world which are used to justify their perception of us as Haters. Why fuel this notion of us? I would rather be like Jesus who engaged people one on one, in relationship, meeting needs and sharing the love of Christ on a real level while at the same time speaking the truth in love. Think of how he interacted the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, the tax collector … Jesus didn’t point his finger in condemnation. Instead he met them where they were at, engaged them, spoke the truth to them in love, forgave their sins, and then told them to go and sin no more.

I’m sorry, but to me we sound like a bunch of whiners, grumbling and complaining and yes, turning people off instead of wooing them to Christ.  (See Philippians 2:14-17).

What did Jesus do? Did he try to hold onto his rights? No! He willingly gave them all up for us. It still blows my mind to think that he came into this world, out of love for us, on a mission to save eternally all who would put their faith in him, knowing he would be mocked, despised, rejected, and ultimately crucified by those who misunderstood and hated him. Christ humbled himself for our sakes. Are we willing to do the same for the sake of those who misunderstand us? Although Jesus said we would be scorned, mocked, brought before the courts, and possibly even put to death for our faith, let’s strive to follow Paul’s admonition and Christ’s example:

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11)

Sorry folks, the law of the land is what it is now. I say let’s move on, we’ve got more important things to do. Think about God’s rainbow, which he put into the sky after the flood of judgment that came upon the whole earth. Every time we see a rainbow we are reminded of his covenant to never again destroy the world with water. However, we should also be reminded of the sobering reality that Jesus is coming again and the next time it will be to judge the world. Many don’t know this or don’t care and have their heads in the sand!

They deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. (2 Peter 3:5-7)

Even though this hasn’t happened yet, and we can’t imagine this happening in our day simply because it hasn’t happened yet, we are reminded, “Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:3-9)

As Christ followers it’s time to, as Greg Laurie puts it, “wake up, sober up, and suit up” because Jesus is coming back! We have a job to do and that is to share the Gospel and the LOVE of Christ. Let’s be mindful of who our audience is. It’s one thing to discuss our concerns, dismay, and even grief with other Christians as our country is being transformed into one we no longer recognize. But we must be aware that we may be unwittingly repelling some from ever coming to Christ through our words, actions, and virtual picket signs. God’s vantage point should be ours because it puts everything into perspective. Let’s use our time wisely and take advantage of every opportunity to love others to Christ.

Holding fast,

Lisa