Where to From Here

Now that our government through the actions of 5 men and women in black robes, has changed the definition of marriage, where do we go from here?  First, we need to recognize where we are.  We now find ourselves, where the majority of Christians have lived throughout history, our values are at odds with the dominant culture.  Our culture has shifted from a Judeo-Christian foundation to a neo-pagan mindset.  Rights are now more important than duty and responsibility.  Those rights are no longer seen as unalienable because they are endowed by our creator, but our now given by government. The church’s voice is now marginalized in our culture.  Our voice no longer carries the day.  Even in this moment, however, we do not despair.  God was not surprised by today’s decision neither is he intimidated by it.  Although this decision was made by the highest court in the land, they are not the ultimate court.  God’s judgment is still the final judgment.  His definition of marriage has not changed.  His view of marriage did not carry the day, but it will carry for eternity.

Second, we must pray.  Our enemy is not the judges of the Supreme Court, politicians, nor anyone whose desire it was to destroy marriage by changing its definition.  We do not fight against flesh and blood, Paul says but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)  Our enemy seeks to destroy individuals by giving them what they think they want.  Our weapon in this battle is prayer. We are to be praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18).

Third, we must invest in people’s lives so that we can share Christ.  The wages of sin is death.  Death is not just eternal death, but death and destruction here in now.  The good news is that Jesus has conquered death.  He can bring life and transform lives.  Romans 1 does speak of homosexual sin but it also reminds us of other sins such as covetousness, malice,  envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness, gossip, slanderers, insolent, pride, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  All these sins lead to destruction and pain.  But we have a message of hope to hurting people and we must put ourselves in a position to share that good news.  As Tim Keller reminds us, “the more hostile the culture, the easier it is to communicate the difference of Christianity.”  We have an opportunity show forth the clear difference that Christ makes.

Fourth, we must renew our commitment to each other.  As Christian brothers and sisters, we need each other now more than ever.  Jesus said, they will know you are my disciples by your love one for another.   We must hold fast to all those who believe the fundamentals of the faith.  We may differ on secondary issues but we can love all those who have called upon the name of the Lord Jesus.  We need each other.

Finally, we must invest in our own marriages.  The reason that the definition of marriage could be changed so easily today is that we have already changed its definition.  God’s definition of marriage is to be between a man and a woman, but it is also a lifetime commitment.  No marriage is perfect, because no person is perfect but we must strive by God’s grace to make our marriages all that they can be.  Let us allow this decision today to help us take the log out of our own eye, to recommit ourselves love our spouse and our children the way God would have us to.

You may feel shaken today.  But remember, God is still on his throne.  The culture of the first century was diametrically opposed to the Gospel, but the Gospel transformed that culture and it can do so again.  May we pray to that end.