On Friday, the Supreme Court handed down a decision that had been eagerly anticipated by people throughout the nation. The question being considered by the Court was whether states had the authority to prohibit two people of the same gender from entering into a marriage. In what many Court watchers and researchers predicted, the decision was 5-4 in favor of striking down state bans on same-sex marriages. The deciding vote – again, as expected – came from Justice Anthony Kennedy, whose track record in cases concerning homosexuality remained staunchly in the “pro” category. With the Court’s ruling, every state in the Union will be required to sanction same-sex marriages in the same way as traditional ones. As believers, what should be our response?
On the one hand, this must be recognized as a major departure from traditional societal norms, something the Court recognized during the oral arguments. Chief Justice John Roberts noted this at that time, when he said to the attorneys representing the proponents of same-sex marriage, “You are not seeking to join the institution. You are seeking to change the institution.” In the civil sense, the institution of marriage was fundamentally changed on Friday by the Supreme Court. Additionally, believers and churches have cause to be concerned about what this change will mean for them in terms of forced compliance with new state laws and regulations. In response to a question from Justice Samuel Alito regarding whether an affirmative ruling (such as the Court issued Friday) would affect religious liberty, Solicitor General Donald Verreli replied, “It is going to be an issue.” The four dissenters to Friday’s decision expressed their reservations that religious liberty would remain unscathed in the aftermath. What kind of issue remains to be seen, but we need to be prepared for however it may manifest itself. Each of us needs to pray and resolve in our hearts now exactly how we will respond when that time comes.
On the other hand, such concern should not manifest itself in either dejection or anxiety. While we should be “prayed up” and prepared, we should not allow our thoughts on the situation to cause us to lose hope. The reality is, God was not surprised by the Court’s ruling on Friday. He remains the Sovereign King of the universe and He will continue to see His will accomplished regardless of if this nation – or any nation, for that matter – attempts to alter His moral law. Even the “highest Court in the land” is answerable to an even higher Authority. Additionally, our responsibilities remain unchanged: we are to love God, love our neighbors (including those who have same-sex attractions), and make disciples. We are to engage our culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While our society will certainly see Friday’s decision as a step toward greater freedom, let us remember – and proclaim – the source of the greatest freedom of all. Just something to think about…
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