“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?  Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.”  Psalm 38:1-3

With the recent SCOTUS decision regarding Gay Marriage, I knew that as a Christian, sooner or later someone would ask me my opinion. I knew that would probably happen on a Tuesday night at gymnastics. There are a couple of women there who are seeking and hungry. Somehow (oh, I know how) our conversations always turns to God, the Bible, being a Christian woman and mother. I have come to love sitting on that hard seat for nearly four hours sharing The Truth. Last night was no different.

The 6:30 pm class had just started and Sarah* immediately asked me what I thought of the decision. I had prayed earlier that God would give me the words because He had let me know the question was coming.  I am not a Bible scholar, but I know when I pray asking for God’s help, He sends it. I personally do NOT have an opinion on the SCOTUS decision. However, as a Christian, whenever I struggle with a moral issue, I turn to the Bible. Here are some scriptural facts that helped me explain God’s love, mercy and forgiveness to those with questions.

First, let’s look at the nature of man. Romans 5:12 “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” We are all born sinners.  The scriptures doesn’t say that some are born liars, some thieves, some gay, some pedophiles, or some murderers. It says sinners. I am a sinner. I have broken every one of the 10 Commandments.  Each person reading this is a sinner.  As humans, we like to “grade” sins. Somehow, sexual sins always seem to carry more disgrace, judgement, shame and punishment.

John 8:11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” When the woman in John 8 was caught in the act of adultery, she was to be stoned.  This is a great story with a lot of life skills we can take from it. Don’t judge. Take a look in the mirror. But, I really love what Jesus says to her.  He doesn’t say, “go and commit adultery no more”.  He doesn’t say, “go and don’t lie, cheat or steal no more”.  He simply calls what she was doing sin.  Sin is sin.

So, we have cleared that up.  We are all sinners.  Heterosexuals, Homosexuals, Christians, Athiest, Muslims, Whites, Blacks, Spanish…none is righteous, no not one.

Secondly, we need to understand whether we are under The Law or under Grace. Levitical Law is explained in the Old Testament.  Grace is The New Covenant that was made with the blood of Jesus Christ.  I will choose Grace every day.  When asked a question about homosexuality, I would never reference Leviticus 20:13.   I try to keep all my references to the New Testament.  1 Corinthians 6:9 “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”   Paul groups together drunkards, thieves and all sexual sins into one big group of fools.  And that same group of fools can equally be cleansed and made holy through Jesus.

Maybe we should all wear labels with all of our sins written on them so that we could all judge each other more equally.  I could wear a Scarlet A for adulteress and a bright Yellow L for liar.  I have enough sins that I could use the entire spectrum of colors in the rainbow. I personally believe people are born gay.  I have friends that are gay.  I personally believe people are born with a sexual desire for children; pedophiles.  I personally know a couple of pedophiles also.  Pedophiles are simply acting on the desires within them. Heterosexuals act on their desires.  The tragedy though is not all of our desires are holy and good.  1 Corinthians 10:23  “You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.”

Grace can cleanse us all.  If we choose it.  Free will gives us the opportunity.

Lastly, I am not the Author of The Book of Life.  I would love to see that every person’s name gets written in it, but that is not my call. If you do not want to be judged, then do not judge. Judging Christians because they do not believe that homosexuals should marry is no different than people judging homosexuals. We are all entitled to our beliefs and the 1st Amendment allows me to express that.  Don’t judge me based on what you know about Westboro Baptist.  They call themselves Christians. Gyms are full of overweight people and churches are full of sinners.  Both looking for a solution, a better life, an answer and hope.

Someday, we will all stand before God and give account of how we lived our lives.  Romans 14:12.   I will have no good excuse for 100% of the sins I have spoken, committed, thought and felt. Neither will you. In the meantime, remember this….Matthew 22:36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

The SCOTUS decision came as no surprise to God.  He is still in control, still sovereign and still loving us; even those that don’t love or acknowledge Him.

Now you have a few decisions to make.  Are you going to judge or love? Loving another does not mean you agree with their choices.  Are you going to let the decision of 9 judges override what The Judge commands you to do?  Which is to love The Lord and your neighbors. Are you going to let that decision ruin your day?  Or are you going to embrace that we are all walking a difficult walk and carrying our individual crosses and yours doesn’t weigh more than anyone else’s.