In Support of Marriage--One Man, One Woman

 There is neither Jew nor Greek, 

there is neither slave nor free, 

there is no male and female, 

for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Galatians 3:28 NIV

Hello Precious Girlfriends!

My post today is going to be a little different than usual. The photo below started me writing a Facebook post this morning that turned into a full page! So I decided to share it here as well because I think the issue is important. So here it is:

As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one,

  there is no one who understands;
    there is no one who seeks God^.

 All have turned away,
    they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
    not even one.”

Romans 3:10-12

I have to say that other than myself, only five of my Facebook friends in my news feed have changed their profile picture for the reason the funny graphic above refers. Three changed one way and two the other way. So I guess including mine, it is 3-3. I think that accurately reflects the split in this country, which I project will also be reflected in the split among the Supreme Court Justices. I am sure others will disagree and say their news feed definitely is swayed heavily one way, showing support for changing the definition of marriage by law in the US. 

Well, to that I would reply with a quote from one of my friends. "Why do we Christians remain silent on this issue?" I do not know why most Christians do, but I believe for myself, it is because I do love and care about other people. As Christians, we do not change our profile picture, or if we do we are very careful what to put there, because we do not want to hurt or offend the people in our lives whom we love but who disagree with us on these types of issues. Funny thing, however, those same people whom we love DID change their profile picture and do not seem concerned about offending us. So why are we so sensitive?

The sensitivity comes from Christians in America being labeled "haters" and "discriminators" and "bigots" for believing in a value system that honors God (and His statement on the nature of human union, or marriage, which is one man and one woman.) What a misconception that has been allowed to exist and spread!! I do not hate anyone; I do not discriminate. I act and interact out of love, respect, and faith in God. I simply believe in preserving the institution of God's statement about marriage. Regarding that institution of marriage, God also states that the marriage shall be free from adultery. Am I a "hater", "discriminator", or "bigot" for believing that God's statement on adultery should also be preserved and honored? I do not think so.

The truth is we have all sinned and fallen short of God's standard in one way or another. We are all in need of mercy. The point is to recognize that fact and address it with the Lord. I am not "judging" anyone by a different standard than I "judge" myself. I simply have different sin than others have. I do not expect them to condone my sin anymore than they should expect me to condone their sin. We should all support and encourage one another, in love and forgiveness, such as that we have been given ourselves by God. 

But the truth is we have to hold one another accountable to God's standard while on this earth. Accountability is not synonymous with judging. The first is motivated by the desire to see the other person move toward a positive outcome, and the latter is motivated by the desire for our own definition of justice, not God's. Yet, accountability sometimes hurts. Being told you are not living right with God stings and shocks the soul, as it should. The response to that stinging is crucial. PRIDE will harden the heart and defend the sin. HUMILITY will soften the heart and acknowledge the sin. One way or the other, that sin will be dealt with, and the sinner is in complete control of the way--heaven or hell. Eternally with God or eternally separated from Him. Pride closes the door; humility opens it. But God will allow you to choose. 

So in the end, yes, this all comes down to choice--and I choose Heaven. I choose to support a society that honors that path. My desire is for all of us to unite in Heaven. I need you to help me get there as much as you need me. This desire is not "hate" but "love". This desire is not "discrimination" but "inclusion". This desire is not "bigotry" and "closed-mindedness" but is "fairness" and "broad-mindedness".  

Although I changed my profile picture (see above), I really do not like this kind of behavior on Facebook because it promotes an "us" vs "them" attitude; we are in this life together, each of with our own sin, and that is actually what unifies us. Maybe every Facebook user should take a deep look into themselves and for one week change their profile picture to state their own sin--now that would be constructive and hopefully productive!

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. Romans 3:22-25(a) NIV
 
Blessings to ALL of my Girlfriends!