With the recent Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage (marriage equality), there have been dire warnings from numerous sources heralding the negative effects of this landmark decision.  Todd Starnes has outlined one in this opinion piece: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/08/11/chaplains-banned-from-preaching-that-homosexuality-is-sin.html.

Essentially, a Christian chaplain in Kentucky was told he could no longer minister to juvenile inmates because he refused to “sign a state-mandated document promising to never tell inmates that homosexuality is ‘sinful’”.  Although the final outcome will be decided in court, this is just one example of Christians being discriminated against for not toeing the the line of political correctness.

We have already heard of judges who refuse to perform same-sex weddings and family businesses who refuse to cater to same-sex weddings.  The fallout from such instances is great.  The die has been cast.  If you do not support the LGBTQ agenda, then you open yourself up for derision and persecution.

Now, before I come off as some insensitive religious whack-job, let me say this.  I work with gay people.  I have neighbors who are gay.  I have no problem working with and living around gay people.  I have respect and compassion for all human beings and I think that those who are gay and know me would affirm that.  Each person is made in the image and likeness of God. (Genesis 1:26-27)  But the Bible informs us that that image/likeness has been marred by the effects of sin.  (Romans 3:23)  This sin nature is manifested in different ways.  We’re not all tempted by the same sins.  But we’re all sinners nonetheless.  Homosexuality is but one type of sin.

There’s the issue.  Is homosexuality a sin?  The Bible teaches that it is in the Old Testament (Leviticus 18:22) and in the New Testament (Romans 1:26-27).  Christians down through the ages have recognized this.  This is nothing new.  What is new is the forced acceptance of homosexuality as normal and right.  Accept it or else.

This could be the death knell of Christian freedom in America.  So what do we do?  First, we pray for our country.  We need leaders who are compassionate of all individuals but who are not afraid to stand for what is right.  Second, we need to pray for ourselves as Christians and humbly assess our motives and actions.  Too many times Christians have reacted in harsh (and sinful) ways towards the others who are involved in sin.  Why should we be surprised that those without Jesus Christ engage in sin??  We are all sinners in need of the Savior!  Wake up!  Otherwise, we’ll be lumped in with the likes of Westboro Baptist Church.  Third, we need to pray for homosexuals.  There is a real, spiritual need in their lives just like all of us have.  Fourth, we need to act in accordance with our Christian ideals.  Jesus loved people, even those involved in sin.  He engaged them and made them understand His love for them even when confronting them with their sin.  (See Luke 19:1-10; John 4:1-42; 8:1-11; et al.)