Greetings Beloved,

I am writing today to make an address concerning the cultural divide, which has heated up considerably over the past few days due to the battle in our courts over the issue of homosexual marriage. Protests have hit the streets and arguments erupt on Facebook pages, as they always do, but what has surprised me is how passionately people on both sides of the issue have taken to the “battle”. While I expect people to chime in on the issue, as I have, it seems like such an unimportant “hill to die on”.

Let me explain. We are a nation in massive debt. This debt is a result of immoral economic decisions by both the Bush and Obama administrations, as well as a culture that is more interested in welfare entitlements and convenience than it is interested in the life of the unborn. Psalm 127 describes children as a “heritage from the Lord”. If we are a nation that chooses to murder its heritage and prosperity, it makes sense that the fruit of our labor is barrenness and debt.

While there is an increasing cultural divide happening, and homosexual relationships are one of the issues of this cultural divide, the very issue of homosexual marriage is not a civil rights issue to begin with. It is merely a reflection of a society that is turning its back on God, which means the solution (as it will always be), is to share the truth and love of Christ. If you are a bible believing Christian who takes the Scriptures at their original meaning, you will not be in favor of homosexual marriage. If you do not believe the bible, you either do not care about this issue or are likely in favor. I expect and encourage people from both sides of the issue to make a stand for what they believe, but I also want to point out that there are much bigger “fish to fry”.

As believers, we live in the thick of this cultural divide as servants of God and mankind. Yes, people will accuse you of being bigoted, hateful, and intolerant, but you must stand as faithful witnesses. For this very reason, do not get too caught up in the little details by fighting every battle that comes your way. We are called to take a stand, not pick fights. Speak the truth, but do not be consumed. For example, I know a number of homosexual people who are very well informed about my beliefs, yet somehow most of them know I truly care about them. Yes, maybe they think I’m the crazy Christian who can’t change his ways, but people respond differently to a servant. This is a very fine line to walk, but it is possible. I mess it up all the time, to be perfectly honest, but its because I am willing to try to walk it.

In reality, when we confront people on matters of sexual immorality, we are actually supposed to be harder on Christians who practice or condone these sins than we are the people who do not hold the faith. If someone outside the Church is committing an act of sexual immorality, we are to leave them to God for judgment. If someone is in the Church, it is then that we are to deal with them.

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NIV)

Ancient Rome was not much different than America in regards to our sin. Paul writes epistles that are very useful in handling these matters.

Blessings and grace!

J.S.Marek