The times we’re living in. They sure are crazy. I remember when it was acceptable to be a Christian and speak of it publicly without worry. I remember when it was acceptable to be conservative and speak of it without threat of losing friendships. I remember when it was acceptable to speak of politics with someone from the opposing party without being canceled. I remember when it was acceptable to speak out publicly about what you believed and what you opposed without fear of being ridiculed, insulted or fired from your job. But things are different now.
I’ve lived long enough to see when the tide started turning. And the noticeable turn seems to have begun with a presidential election that I won’t elaborate on. And then a global pandemic occurred, which caused an even quicker plummet into an abyss that we haven’t recovered from culturally or politically. Since that time, the cultural and political scenes have continued to disintegrate. And the church is caught somewhere in the middle of this conundrum.
Some may call it empathy when others agree or accept alternative lifestyles or choices. They call it loving others when we tamp down the resistance of some who don’t “seem to understand” the decisions by those who call themselves Christians but live otherwise. It’s been made clear that we must not resist. We must accept and agree with the culture that has moved directly in opposition to what Jesus taught. But when something is morally wrong, shouldn’t we as Christians oppose it? When something is ethically wrong, shouldn’t we say so? Or should we just clam up and watch?
Through this mess of a civilization we’re in, I’ve learned where I stand on many important issues. I’m still learning, but I’ve realized that as a Bible believing Christian, I need to make sure my stance is biblically sound. Because it would be very easy to side with the group that shouts the loudest and the longest. It would be easy to side with those who seek equity and social justice for all. It would be easy to side with those who announce their pronouns and acceptance of every alphabet group that shouts to be heard. But keep reading, and I’ll tell you why I don’t.
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:15
I believe the Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God. I have chosen to use it as my guide to life. The Bible doesn’t spell out instructions or information about all of the issues we face today. There are many black and white areas we navigate, but there are many gray areas where we must study and pray for God’s wisdom. Biblical truth will lead us to a life that loves others and speaks the truth, even when it’s inconvenient or unwanted or unaccepted.
I am pro-life. I believe that in every stage of pregnancy, the new life is a human life. I believe everyone is made in the image of God. The life of the unborn baby should not be ended even if it was the result of someone else’s crime. A suspected or confirmed disability or health issue of the unborn should not be the reason a pregnancy is terminated. Abortion is not healthcare; it is the worst violation of the most basic human rights. The right to life. Someone dies as a result of every successful abortion. It is the termination of a life created by God. It is murder.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalms 139:13
There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. Proverbs 6:16-19
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Proverbs 31:8
The Bible tells us that God created man and woman, male and female. It does not speak one word about additional genders. Nowhere in the Word of God is there any mention of humans having the ability to move from male to female or vice versa. We are what we are. And when someone chooses to identify as the opposite sex, they are in contradiction to God’s will. No surgery or medication can change their God-given DNA. There is a false belief being taught today that says we can do as we please to our bodies without consequence, but the Bible teaches us to reject that teaching.
As a follower of Christ who has a biblical worldview, I cannot use someone’s preferred pronouns if they don’t align with the person’s created body. I cannot affirm what I know is not true. To do so would be to lie. Loving someone means hard truths are kindly spoken, even when I may be rejected for my beliefs.
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself. 1 Corinthians 6:19
We’re told today that truth is relative. We can create our “truth” to be whatever makes us happy. But God’s Word is the ultimate truth, and if the truth we create doesn’t align with biblical truth, it isn’t the truth. So when someone says that love is love, and that a romantic love relationship with someone of the same sex is biblical, as Christians we can’t agree. We can’t applaud the relationship as being Christian. Regardless of what we’re told by today’s culture, a biblical love relationship is found only between one man and one woman. God’s Word is clear even if we disagree with it. The truth doesn’t change just because we don’t believe it.
It is true that some people have a same sex attraction, but the Bible says that acting on that attraction is sinful. Just as it is sinful to engage in gluttony or addictive behavior, the same truth stands for same sex relationships. God calls us to sacrifice our wants in order to be obedient to his will and his calling for our lives. We can resist the temptations we face, regardless of what they are, if we stand fully on God’s Word, spend time in prayer and make ourselves accountable to others who are biblically grounded and trustworthy.
Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin. Leviticus 18:22
We can’t really tell how crooked our thinking is until we line it up with the straight edge of Scripture. ~Elisabeth Elliot
You can agree with me or not. That’s your choice. I’m not always right, and I certainly don’t know everything. I want to be able to stand before God on judgment day with a clear but trembling heart, knowing I’ve lived my life in accordance with the teachings of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray you do the same.
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes. Romans 1:16
Mercy for the Day 