A Better Question In This Culture

The US Supreme Court has struck down a law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman only, in a landmark ruling. The court's 5-4 vote said the Defense of Marriage Act, known as Doma, denied equal protection to same-sex couples. The decision means that legally married gay men and women are entitled to claim the same federal benefits available to opposite-sex married couples. Opinion polls show that most Americans support gay marriage. Twelve US states and the District of Columbia recognize gay marriage, while more than 30 states ban it. Last year, President Obama became the first sitting president to publicly endorse same-sex marriage. Accordingly, Kent and Diego Love-Ramirez (who live together in Lansing, Michigan with their two-and-a-half year old son) were invited by Mr. Obama to the White House for a Father's Day event.

How should believers respond to the increasingly aggressive gay agenda? Perhaps we respond best by asking a different question. A better question would be--how may each of us influence those around us toward biblical principles.? According to Jim Denison of the Denison Forum, the biblical answer that comes immediately to mind comes from the conclusion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount:

"Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash" (Matthew 7:24-27).

Presumably, both houses were constructed from the same materials according to the same plan and similar storms struck both homes. The one that stood "had its foundation on the rock," while the one that fell was built "on sand." The "rock" is the teaching of Christ; the sand is the teaching of culture. If we want our families to withstand the storms of our day, we must teach them to think biblically and live obediently. Our first question in every circumstance should be, What does God say? Our second question should be, How can I obey his Word now in my immediate context?

Our greatest impact in this culture comes not from angry reaction but consitent proaction. We see this in certain high-profile individuals: Mariano Rivera, the New York Yankees' all-star closer, may go into pastoral ministry after he retires. Brazilian soccer star Kaka pulls off his jersey whenever he scores a goal to reveal t-shirts which proclaim his love for Christ. Albert Pujols, the perennial all-star, says, "My life's goal is to bring glory to Jesus. Baseball is simply my platform to elevate . . . my Lord and Savior."

But we also see this as ordinary folk like you and I choose to live out our faith positively and consistently in our own circles of influence. As we walk upon a foundation that is rock solid, we influence others to evaluate the stability of their own lives. What is your life's influence today?