Mourning in America

It was quite a sight.

The White House, historic icon and symbol of national leadership, was seen now in a new light.

The executive mansion, home of our presidents, over which its first occupant, John Adams,

had solemnly prayed, “May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof,” was suddenly bathed in the rainbow colors of homosexual triumph and pride.

This desecration of an American symbol was ordered by an enthusiastic president who, with nothing to risk politically, is clearly out of the closet on this issue.

President Obama, who has been described as America’s first “gay president”, called the gay-colored White House “pretty cool” and “a good thing.”

It was part of a national celebration.

Earlier that day, the United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 split decision, declared homosexual marriage legal in all fifty states. It is now, said the court, a constitutional right that all Americans are duty bound to recognize, respect and support.

In his vigorous dissent, Chief Justice John Roberts asked, “Who do we think we are?”

The Court, in declaring homosexuality socially normative, legally protected and morally permissible – as the law of the land – has inverted right and wrong. Dismissing the legislative process and the millennia-long collective wisdom of civilization, the court not only re-defined the institution of marriage – it sanctioned and speeded America’s path toward the moral abyss.

The rainbow symbol suddenly was everywhere. Major corporations began marketing it to show that they too believed in love and tolerance.  Gay Pride parades were held in New York, San Francisco and Chicago. Thousands in the streets cheered, danced and hugged.

But for millions of other Americans it was a day for mourning.

This is a time of sadness that a great republic we all love has gone so far astray from God’s moral law. Truths deemed self-evident by our nation’s founders as derived from Nature and Nature’s God have been defied in the celebration of unnatural acts.

“Jerusalem staggers,” wrote the prophet Isaiah. “Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.”

The arrogance and pride of the people are manifest in their open and shameless rebellion.

^“The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves” (Isaiah 3:8-9, NIV).

Nor does corrupt and compromising leadership – both religious and civic – escape the divine judgment.

“Your leaders mislead you; they send you down the wrong path” (Isaiah 3:12, NLT).

The foundations of morality and faith in God which emboldened 13 wilderness colonies to challenge the greatest power on earth are crumbling. The current of culture is strong and fast-moving.

So, how should Christians live?

Redemptively.

We must not apologize, we must not compromise, and we must not temporize.  Nothing for the follower of Jesus Christ has changed with the court’s decision.

Because we worship an immutable God, nothing ever will.

We grieve because we love America. We know that the most strenuous dissent often goes hand in hand with the deepest patriotism. So our sadness is the broken heart of a wounded lover. Because we cherish all that this country stands for – and our noble heritage – we mourn this marked departure from the ancient and good paths.

This is not a time for panic or fear.

This is a time for choosing.

Being a prophetic minority will strengthen our faith and hope in God. It will make us more courageous Christians, prepared to stand for our beliefs or it will condemn us to a quisling accommodation with the world.

The day for straddling is over.

It is time to acknowledge the yawning chasm between legality and morality.

“Here I stand,” declared Martin Luther to a corrupt world, “I can do no other.”

Every American pastor worthy of that honor needs to be preaching God’s whole counsel and declaring his Christian conscience on the moral issues of our day. The godly pulpit ought to be the last place to try and hide. Christians need thoughtful, informed and principled leadership from their shepherds.

We must pray for our beloved America. That God may yet shed his grace on our land, knowing that spiritual revival and healing is still possible.

We must not only defend biblical marriage, we must resolve to be more devoted and loving husbands, wives and parents.

We must also love and respect our gay neighbor. He has not been created gay but he is still created in God’s divine image, no less than any Christian. The world knows the follower of Christ by his love. Let’s always remember and practice that truth.

In another moral crisis, the outcome of which we celebrate this weekend, Thomas Paine reminded his fellow citizens:

“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.”

Let us remain soldiers of the cross and followers of the Lamb. May you and I never fear to own his cause or blush to speak his name.

And let us say a prayer for our country.

May God bless you and your family.