I love a good discussion with a friend over a steaming cup of chai, but since I can’t gather all of you at a comfortable cafe, I’ll have to be content with this little corner of the Internet.
You can thank the Supreme Court for the topic of this third symposia. I want to talk with you about obeying or disobeying government.
As many of you are surely aware, 5 Supreme Court justices decided that they had the right to mandate for the rest of us what defines marriage. 5 people think their opinion trumps Almighty God who set up the institution in the first place.
I am not a prophet, I cannot predict how this will play out, but I would not be shocked if more people lose their jobs, face lawsuits or get thrown in prison for “hate speech” because they refuse to recognize or support the union of two men or two women as “marriage.” I would not be shocked if religious freedom is only granted to those who concur with this ruling.
When the apostles preached the gospel in Jerusalem shortly after Pentecost, the Jewish leaders beat them and charged them not continue preaching these things. When the apostles disobeyed, the leaders were furious.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
~Acts 5:27-29 NKJV
So, now that I’ve said more than I usually do in a coffee chat, I’d like to know your thoughts. How will you prepare yourself to respond when challenged? If you are at work and your co-worker invites you to her wedding to her female partner; if you are a preacher and you are asked to officiate a same-sex wedding; if you are a chaplain in the military… How are you going to respond?
Let me be clear on something: All people have souls, and it is God’s will that all should repent. We have to balance our righteous anger over those calling good evil and evil good with the love that God wants us to have for those who are living apart from Him. I do not advocate hate. Hateful comments will be deleted. But I do advocate standing for what is right.
Please leave a comment below while you sip on your favorite cup of tea or coffee!
Elihu's Corner 
Honestly, at this moment I am in a state of shock, even though I know I shouldn’t be. I love your reference to Paul and his reply. It is late and your post is a breath of fresh air after a day of righteous rainbows popping up on everything and everyone (or so it seemed.) so, for now, I am going to let this rest in God’s hands and ask for guidance on my answers. It’s a force I’ll being facing with a large portion of my family since they seem to be quite passionate about the outcome (even going as far as to change their avatars to rainbows!)
God Bless You!
Greta
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Thanks for stopping by, Greta. Don’t lose heart; a lot of us are shocked and dismayed by this decision. I have already had one friend start talking about begin judgmental etc. which I think is rather ridiculous. I explained to her that we, as Christians are to show love and compassion to homosexuals, but love and compassion does not equal condoning sin. By supporting homosexual “marriage” we are condoning sin. We cannot judge their hearts. That is for God to do. Do I still need to treat homosexuals with the same compassion as adulterers, fornicators, liars, cheaters etc? Yes! But we do not need to encourage or support their activities.
As a Christian, I plan to operate as I always have. Trying to treat all souls with kindness and love. But I do plan on being more vocal against laws and activities that condone sin. I still have that right as a citizen and I need to exercise it until it is forcibly taken away from me. The Apostles did not shrink from speaking out against sin and lawlessness.
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:5
Thank you again for coming. May God grant you wisdom as respond to your family.
God be with you as well. 🙂
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Personally, I am praying for our children and grandchildren who will feel all of that decision in its fullest force. May the fear of the Lord be in their hearts. Bless you. 🙂
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I agree with tabitha with praying for our children. My husband and I just had our first little blessing 3 months ago and we were talking about how interesting it will be when he reaches middle school and high school and what the family dynamics will be for other kids his age and the changes this will bring about.
I will say what Joseph said to his brothers though -at the end of Genisis -is a good thought to meditate on “as for you, it was in your mind to do me evil, but God has given a happy outcome, the salvation of numbers of people, as you see today.” I hope and pray that as the nation takes a turn for the worst, Gods righteousness will be magnified and his ways will he praised an those who were once far off are drawn near.
When sin abounds God is seen more clearly than ever to those who are seeking him and I find encouragement thinking about raising our little boy and when teaching him wisdom that it will be so much more evident in the world we live in how much brighter Gods path truly is.
One final thought- in the New Testament when trials and persecution arises that is when you see Gods word spreading like never before! Also we need to remember we are in a spiritual warfare and battling first and foremost the spirit of the power of the air not the government.
Praise and glory be to the true king .
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Thank you, Samantha for another great comment! These things are excellent reminders that we need to keep looking toward a better heavenly country. God be with you!
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