As you no-doubt have heard, the United States Supreme Court is hearing cases related to California's voter-established ban on same-sex marriage as well as other cases related to the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. While it seems like everyone is focusing on either side's agenda, I think we sometimes get so caught up in the issue at hand that we miss the bigger picture.
No one on earth is without sin. Whether it be covetousness, the spirit of murder, adultery, or any other manifestation of our pride, everyone suffers from the effects of the fall of humanity in Genesis 3. Jesus came to earth to mend our broken relationship with God, yet without Jesus, our relationship with God remains unrestored. The real problem is not how marriage is being defined by our government, but an issue of bondage to sin and brokenness at a much deeper level in America. How can we stand for marriage while pornography ravages our own pulpits? We have a greater need.
We hear about how America is going to be judged for her sins of immorality and abortion, but I tell you the judgement is upon us and it is the removal of truth from our land. Throughout history God often judges nations not only through military conflict or natural disaster, but by removing their ability to discern right and wrong. You can read in Isaiah 59 about how truth was "slain in the streets," or in Malachi 3 where God removed the people's ability to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. We live in a such an hour of American history.
Yet I am stirred by Peter's writings:
"For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. . . The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may PRAY. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:3-5,7-8
It is true that real justice, and the definition of marriage, comes only from the Lord. While we stand for truth, we must remember who we are standing against (Ephesians 6:12). Our stand for truth is a cry for mercy and an invitation into real freedom that can only be found in Jesus.
