Today I want to talk to Christians about Referendum 71. Referendum 71 is the ballot measure that will allow voters to decide whether or not to give homosexual couples equivalent rights to married couples. I’m not going to talk to those that think gay marriage is the civil rights issue of today. Nor do I want to talk to those who are already committed to REJECT Referendum 71.
Instead, I want to talk to Christians who are inclined to vote to give marriage benefits to same-sex partners despite moral concerns about homosexuality. You know who you are.
You believe in grace, redemption, forgiveness and the need to love your neighbor as yourself. You believe that homosexuality is sin, but you have a hard time opposing homosexual rights measures because you feel it would be forcing people to abide by your personal moral code. You do not dislike gay people. In fact, you like your gay friends more than some Christians you know.
You are inclined to vote in favor of benefits for homosexuals simply to avoid association attitudes you have seen from fellow Christians. After all, you believe fervently in the command to love your neighbor.
However, you may fail to recognize the distinction between loving your neighbor and being liked. Many people make this mistake. In fact many believe the test of whether or not you love your neighbor is whether or not they like you. Therefore, in an effort to prove their love by being liked, they purge their lives of all controversy.
When a choice is to be made, they spend far more time pondering what other people are going to think than they do wondering whether or not it is right. Individuals will bite their tongue. Churches will avoid certain passages of scripture for decades at a time-all in the name of love.
The idea that Christians should try to be well liked is somewhat ironic when you consider the fact that Jesus was murdered. Moreover, He promised his disciples that they would be hated for obedience to him. (John 15:18; Matt 10:21-23). So where did we get the idea that being like Jesus means everybody is going to like us?
Christian charity is frequently looked upon favorably. Christian holiness, however, is not. Still, the goal for the Christian is not to be like or hated, political or apolitical, popular or unpopular. The goal is to be biblical.
Referendum 71 presents a dilemma for many Christians. They understand that God does not believe homosexual relationships are the equivalent of heterosexual marriages. They certainly don’t want their children being taught in school that they are morally the same. But is it kind if it will make someone angry?
It presents an even bigger dilemma for pastors. They have a tremendous opportunity for influence. But should they risk the potential fallout of addressing the biblical perspective on this issue?
While I have opinions, I cannot answer these questions for you. I will simply say that whatever decision is made, I hope it comes more from a desire to be faithful and less from a need to be liked.
Joseph Backholm
http://fpiw.org/mondayminute
