Those words seem to have an empty
ring in light of the recent Supreme Court rulings. When States tried to protect
the sanctity of marriage by legislating the “defense of marriage acts,” the
people overwhelmingly voted that marriage should be between a man and a woman
(duh!). It is God's intended plan for a family and procreation. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to
his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24).
This is the “natural” way God planned for mankind to reproduce and sustain a
family. I'm willing to bet that all these “couples” who want same sex marriage
came from parents of the opposite sex! :)
The media reported
that 57% of the population are now in favor of same sex marriage (they didn't
call me for their survey). First, let me say that even if 100% of the people
agree that something is “right” doesn't make it so. There are absolutes that
God has established which are true regardless of what 9 justices (5 in the same
sex decision) decree. The scary part of the court decision is not just the
content of the case, but the fact that rule of law played little into the
arriving at their decision (the decision wasn't rendered based on applying
Constitutional law). The judicial branch has taken on the role of Congress in
wanting to write legislation instead of what it was established to do–enforce
the laws Congress passes. This is especially critical when their views seem so
tied to the executive branch (and how could they not be when they are appointed
by that branch).
Self-government will
only work if there is self-discipline and integrity of the justices. One hopes
the court hasn't given up interpreting the Constitution in favor of being
“people pleasers.” Romans 1:32 states “Although they
know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they
not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who
practice them” (see also verses 21-31). So where does that
leave us?
I was sitting here
reading 1 Peter in my devotion time this morning. Will that freedom ever be
taken away? “No way.” I said the same thing 30 years ago when someone said
“someday they'll approve same sex marriages.” You can see where we've come from
and where we're going.
So is civil
disobedience ever an option? 1 Peter 2:13,14 says, “Submit yourselves for the Lord's
sake to every authority instituted among men; whether to the king, as the
supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by Him to punish those who do
wrong and to commend those who do right.” Peter wrote
this during the reign of one of the cruelest emperors of all times, godless,
brutal Nero. But. . . .I think there are two things that warrant and even
require civil disobedience. One is when the government passes a law that
requires you to do something that God forbids.
The second is when
the government requires you to abstain from doing something that God commands.
In the first instance it could be a county clerk who is a Christian who refuses
to issue same sex marriage certificates. Will the courts hold that the county
was justified in firing her? What if the courts held you couldn't pray in
public? Would you do what Daniel did in Daniel 6:10? He was obedient to God
instead of king Darius. In Acts 4:18-20, we have an account of the authorities
(religious and civil) telling Peter and John not to speak any more about Jesus.
In verse 19-20, Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in sight of God to give heed to you rather than to
God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard.” In Acts 5:29 NASB we read these words: “But Peter and the apostles answered and said ‘We must obey God rather
than men.’”
I remember a quote by
Abraham Lincoln “To sin by silence when one should protest
makes cowards of men.” Even though we can't vote for Supreme
Court justices we can vote for those who appoint them. I hope you aren't silent
at the next election!
—Alan
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