• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Anchored in Christ

KevinHalloran.net

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Contact
  • Popular Posts
  • Speaking
  • Resources
    • The Gospel
    • Free Prayer Tools
    • 100+ Book Recommendations for Christians
    • 100+ of the Best Christian Biographies
    • 250+ Free Online Seminary Classes, Courses, Programs, and Book Recommendations
    • Accessible Theology Book Series
  • When Prayer Is a Struggle
  • Videos
  • Español

Kevin / June 27, 2015

Four Ways Christians Need to Respond in Love to the Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage

307639437_ae1b3ba8c5_z

Friday, June 26, 2015 is a historic day. Same-sex marriage became legalized across the United States.

The ERLC statement said it well when they said,

“Outrage and panic are not the responses of those confident in the promises of a reigning Christ Jesus.”

Even when the culture descends the slippery slope of rebellion against God, believers in Jesus Christ have as much hope as ever—whether or not we keep all of the freedoms we now enjoy. The Christian task is not first to get people to side with us on who should legally be able to marry, but rather to shine as lights in the darkness and make disciples of Jesus Christ by proclaim His gospel in Word and deed.

One of the chief ways Christians influence the culture and shine the light of Christ is by their love. A short Twitter conversation I had with Aaron Earls got me thinking about how Christians can respond in love to the Supreme Court Decision and what some call a “new era” for evangelicals. Here are four ways:

1. Love your spouse.

Married Christians: we now have a greater opportunity than ever to live an Ephesians 5 marriage that will be a beacon of light in a dark world. Love your spouse and cultivate your marriage for the glory of God. We are hypocrites if we fight for traditional marriage and yet neglect cultivating the marriages God has entrusted to us.

We are hypocrites if we fight for traditional marriage and yet neglect cultivating the marriages God has entrusted to us.

2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

This goes for neighbors that are gay, straight, bisexual, or anything else. We can’t minimize anyone’s identity to merely their sexual orientation or their views on marriage—we are all men and women made in the image of God who desperately need a Savior. (This might mean instead of starting an argument on Facebook about the definition of marriage, pray for those you disagree with.)

3. Speak the truth in love.

Christians are God’s ambassadors to take His reconciling message to others. This, at times, will mean we need to speak truth that others don’t want to hear (like the fact that everyone is a sinner). Speaking the truth in love with a genuine concern for the lost will not win every person over, but will win some.

When you have a chance to share why you believe in traditional marriage, walk through creation in Genesis 1. Talk about how every human being has infinite worth in God’s sight by being made in God’s image. Talk about how God instituted heterosexual marriage for our good and also for procreation. Talk about how man rebelled against God in Genesis 3 and the world is under the curse of sin. Talk about how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Genesis 3:15 and is the One God sent to destroy the works of the devil and rescue us. This is the truth our world so desperately needs to hear. When the opportunity is given, speak it in Christ’s love.

4. Love God for the living hope He gives us.

Our hope is not in nine unelected robe-wearing men and women or anyone holding elected office. Our hope is not in the stock exchange or our favorite sports team. Our hope is not in the good things of life like friends, family, health, and prosperity.

Our hope is in the Sovereign God of the universe who works all things for the good of those who love Him. Our hope is in the One who gave His only Son to pay the penalty for our sins reconcile us to Himself. Our hope is in the One who has all authority and dominion on heaven and on earth. Our hope is a “living hope” and is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Let adversity in the Christian life lead you to worship, not despair.

Let adversity in the Christian life lead you to worship, not despair.

An invitation to pray

As our world changes before our eyes and many freedoms we’ve enjoyed no longer seem guaranteed, let’s strive to be people of prayer and not people of despair.

Pray with me for our country. Pray for your own soul’s faith and resilience would be strengthened. Pray that many sinners—homosexual and heterosexual alike—would see their need for the Savior and turn to Him in faith and repentance.

Pray that gospel-proclaiming churches would grow stronger and more committed to Scriptural truth and furthering God’s Kingdom. Pray that nominal Christians will be rooted out of the church and true fellowship would grow sweeter. Pray for our loss of earthly freedoms to cause us to rejoice in the true freedom we have in Christ.

It’s fitting to close with an encouraging word about who is really on the “right side” of history:

On the wrong side of history? We started on the wrong side of history—a Roman Empire and a cross. Rome’s dead and Jesus is fine.

— Russell Moore (@drmoore) June 26, 2015

“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Jesus Christ

image credit

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Friendly

Related Posts

  • Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story 
  • Freedom of Conscience in a Virtueless Society: Os Guinness on the Eric Metaxas ShowFreedom of Conscience in a Virtueless Society: Os Guinness on the Eric Metaxas Show
  • Review of The Good News About Marriage by Shaunti FeldhahnReview of The Good News About Marriage by Shaunti Feldhahn
  • The Importance of Commitment Before IntimacyThe Importance of Commitment Before Intimacy
  • 3 Francis Chan Sermons on Christ-Centered Relationships3 Francis Chan Sermons on Christ-Centered Relationships

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

Filed Under: Culture Tagged With: Marriage and Relationships

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Reflections on the Supreme Court Ruling on Marriage | Coram Deo ~ says:
    June 29, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    […] Four Ways Christians Need to Respond in Love to the Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage. Our friend Kevin Halloran writes “One of the chief ways Christians influence the culture and shine the light of Christ is by their love. Here are four ways.” […]

  2. Are We Headed Towards Persecution? | ReasonableTheology.org says:
    July 2, 2015 at 11:04 am

    […] (See also Four Ways Christians Need to Respond in Love to the Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage) […]

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Now Available in Paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook

Recent Posts

  • Overcoming the Obstacle of Legalism in Prayer
  • Top Links for March 2023
  • A Book on Prayer Designed for Small Groups
  • The Gospel for Scammers
  • Top Links for February 2023
  • When You Fear God Doesn’t Hear Your Prayers
  • Top Links for January 2022
  • God’s Sovereignty Should Fuel Prayer, Not Hinder It
  • The Best of 2022
  • What does “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” mean?

Blog Sponsors

Blog Categories

Bible & Theology Books & Reviews Christian Living Culture Evangelism Humor Leadership Life Links Marriage & Relationships Ministry Missions Prayer Quotes Resources Social Media & Technology






Footer

About Me

I serve with Open the Bible. I wrote When Prayer Is a Struggle: A Practical Guide for Overcoming Obstacles in Prayer (P&R). Learn more about the book.

Learn More

Let’s Connect!

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Instagram

Subscribe to my channel on YouTube

Videos: When Prayer Is a Struggle

FTC Disclosure of Material Connection: I sometimes share affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through a link, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you to cover blogging expenses.

Copyright © 2023 · Digital Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.