Our Response Matters
June 26, 2015 - 5 minutes readBrothers and Sisters In Christ,
We met this morning for our Friday Morning Prayer. As the Holy Spirit led… much prayer put forth about the most recent Supreme Court decision about marriage according to the constitution.
Well, you can imagine the struggles expressed, the challenges, the cries for mercy, especially as we examined our own lives before the throne of God.
The predominate theme for our lives as Christ followers, disciples of Christ, regenerated new creations In Christ, is love. Brothers cried out for supernatural power to love well, demonstrate compassion, pray, pray, pray for mercy… may sin sick people of all types receive mercy from our gracious God.
I too was once blind and deaf to the grace of God… His holiness abiding in me and His supernatural presence wasn’t my main concern. However, through God’s sovereign mercy and grace, kind and loving Christians… showed compassion… patiently ministered the gospel and trusted God to transform my heart.
I encourage brothers and sisters to talk through difficult issues and support one another as we strive to be Jesus to the many around us.
The following is a response from Stand to Reason.[1] I thought it was very consistent with our prayer time today.
I also included a link to Got Questions.[2]
Blessings! :).
“Dear Randall,
No doubt you’ve heard the ruling. I’ve been praying and thinking about how we as Christians and STR people move forward. We’ve got good arguments and the issues may change over time that need to be responded to, but for the people we are to be as Christians doesn’t change.
God isn’t surprised by this ruling, and by His sovereign will He’s allowed this to happen. And He’s put us here in this time for a purpose.
I’ve been thinking about the Christians in the first few centuries who were at odds with the culture, ostracized, and often persecuted as a result. They lived out the Gospel and distinguished themselves and therefore their message because of it. I’ve specifically been thinking of how they saved baby girls who were abandoned because they were not wanted or valued, and disposed of to die of exposure. And how Christians cared for the sick during plagues that hit the cities when they were left for dead.
They carried on and lived in a way that honored God showing love to all people, standing firm. Even though they were despised by the culture, they carried on doing what was right before God and loving those who persecuted them.
Now, more than ever, is the time to be conscientious of wisdom and character in KWC (Knowledge, Wisdom, and Chraracter in the Ambassador Model). Offering all of our reasons and arguments with gentleness and reverence.
It’s tempting to get angry at this decision that goes against God, nature, and our Constitution, but that won’t help. It’s tempting to despair, but that won’t help either. God has a purpose for us now in this time and we’ll faithfully continue to honor God and live out KWC in our own lives, as a team, and teaching other Christians.
We’ll answer sin and anger with patience and kindness. We’ll love the people who make us their enemies just as Jesus did. And God will give us the wisdom and grace we need to do this. As Alan Shlemon consistently reminds us, let’s answer with truth and compassion. In the end, it’s right back to the Gospel—there are lost sinners who need to be reconciled to God, just as we once were.
Our times are in God’s hands (Psalm 31:15). Our job is to be faithful and trust Him in all circumstances.
Melinda Penner
Executive Director”
[1]http://email.str.org/t/ViewEmail/t/891D2596A344CF1A/2D272B5ECCE89197C67FD2F38AC4859C
[2] Question of the Week
Question of the Week
Question: “What does the Bible say about gay marriage / same sex marriage?” Answer: While the Bible does address homosexuality, it does not explicitly mention gay…
View on www.gotquestions.org
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