June 28, 2015
Dear Friends in Christ,
We surely live in a world that is fallen in sin and decaying by the moment. On June 26, the Supreme Court of the United States expressly ignored God’s will and Word, God’s good design of marriage of man and woman, natural laws and biological facts, as well as the will of the people of many states. In a decision that will change the face of Christianity in the United States, the Supreme Court made a new law allowing persons of same-sex attraction to marry.
The ramifications of this decision are tremendous. No matter how much we are told it won’t affect the Church, it will. It may not affect our congregation much at first, but it will certainly wreak havoc on church bodies, Christian colleges, universities, schools, and institutions, clergy practice, etc. While only time will tell just how deeply we will feel the ramifications of this decision, here are just a few of the possible earthly ramifications:
♦ Pastors will turn in their marriage licenses rather than be forced to officiate same-sex marriages. A legal marriage will no longer take place in a church.
♦ The tax exempt status of the church and its institutions will soon cease to exist as chief Justice John Roberts warned.
♦ Free speech in the public square will be limited on the matter of same sex attraction. In fact, the editorial board of one major newspaper has already taken the step to no longer allow submissions that claim same-sex attraction to be against God’s design. They argue that people who have same-sex attraction are now a “protected class.” Our charge to proclaim “repentance and forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus” will no longer have free course and may well be considered hate speech if we call certain sinners to repent.
While there is much to say, allow me just a few thoughts…
1) God’s Word is and will forever remain unchanged. The Supreme Court might take it upon itself to create new laws for the country, but it can never undo or alter God’s Word. As for us, we recall Luther who once confessed, “my conscience is captive to the Word of God … here I stand! So help me God.” Ultimately, we do not answer to the court. We answer to God. Marriage is what God has created and called it (one man and one woman joined to each other for one lifetime) regardless of what any judges rule.
2) Salvation in Christ Jesus is sure and certain. The Supreme Court has made a new law that will undoubtedly affect our temporal lives. The good news however, is this: no matter what trouble the devil has in store for Christians or the Christian Church, we need not fear.
3) We are reminded once again that we are pilgrims in a foreign land. We live in this world but we are not of it. We are pilgrims looking toward our homeland: the eternal kingdom of God. As baptized Christians, we are increasingly becoming aware that we are not welcome here in our own country and world. We will find our peace in the world to come, as we continually and earnestly pray, “Come, Lord Jesus. Quickly come!”
4) Be constant in prayer. Pray that those lost in the darkness of sin would be brought to the light of Christ in repentance and faith. Pray for strength and conviction for yourself, your family and fellow Christians. And pray for the Christian Church in this country and its pastors. And most of all pray that the Gospel holds your heart and shines through your life, as you strive to live faithful and Godly lives. Those who oppose us, are not our enemies. They are people for whom Jesus Christ died. We do not lash out in frustration, nor wish any harm upon anyone, but we reach out in love in both word and deed. We love by speaking the truth. We need not fear the world into which Christ sends us nor do we despise it or neglect it as His very ripe mission field. Instead, we thank God for it and love it just as our Savior loves sinners like us.
What will come our way because of this ungodly decision we do not know. But as Jesus said in today’s Gospel reading, “Do not be afraid. Only believe.” There is only one eternal kingdom and it belongs to our Lord God, who has promised to share it with all those who are in Christ Jesus, His Son. Our prayer continues to be, “Lord, have mercy on us.”
Your Pastor in Christ,
Pastor Bruce Timm
Nearly identical letters to this one were read this morning at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Eden Valley, and Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Saint Cloud. I am indebted to my brother pastors in those congregations, Pastor Bryan Hopfensperger and Pastor Paul Dare, for their collaboration in this letter. They did most of the writing. I added a thought or two and made it my own with a few wording changes. “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Psalm 133:1, ESV