Independence from Man’s Law through Obedience to God’s Law

America is swiftly collapsing under the weight of feel good, show-how-much-we care “progressives, not just through the unconstitutional dictates of the recent Supreme Court decision on gay marriage, but also through a multitude of liberty-crushing laws, regulations, and acts.

However, the consequences of the gay marriage decision has the most far reaching effect on America’s liberties and protections against tyranny not seen since Roe v Wade, or even since July 4, 1776, when a small group of men declared Independence from a tyrannical king.

Why do I say this?

Because Christianity in America has become an empty shell. A free people cannot survive under a republican constitution unless they remain virtuous and morally strong. The most promising method of securing a virtuous and morally stable people is to elect virtuous leaders. Without religion, the government of a free people cannot be maintained. See Principles of Liberty in our Founding Documents

The issue isn’t simply about loving all people, including homosexuals, which the Word of God teaches. The issue is that America’s leaders have rejected virtue and morality and embraced a new immoral orthodoxy, institutionalizing the sin of homosexuality as an act and as an alternative marriage option.

“This is a moment of decision, and every evangelical believer, congregation, denomination, and institution will have to answer. There will be no place to hide. The forces driving this revolution in morality will not allow evasion or equivocation. Every pastor, every church, and every Christian organization will soon be forced to declare an allegiance to the Scriptures and to the Bible’s teachings on marriage and sexual morality, or to affirm loyalty to the sexual revolution. That revolution did not start with same-sex marriage, and it will not end there. But marriage is the most urgent issue of the day, and the moment of decision has arrived. In this season of testing, Christians committed to the gospel of Christ are called upon to muster the greatest display of compassion and conviction of our lives. But true compassion will never lead to an abandonment of biblical authority or a redefinition of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Which Way, Evangelicals? There is Nowhere to Hide.

The time has come for true disciples of Christ to find a church that adheres to the Word of God to attend and support. It is crucial to do four things: 1. Tend to your own marriage. 2. Stand for truth in love; 3. Support efforts to shore up religious freedoms; 4. Redouble your efforts to instill a biblical worldview in your kids. See The Court Rules: Now Do These Four Things

Here’s Why

“Now comes the real possibility of biblical preaching on marriage being indictable as hate speech. Now comes the choice of each pastor and Christian to choose between God and Caesar. But lo, now also comes, for the true disciple, the easier choice of which church to worship in on Sunday mornings. This, this only, is the bright spot to be found in church ‘divisions’ that Obergefell v. Hodges will bring.” The only bright spot in Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, by Andree Seu Peterson

“That the majority threw a bone to religious people, their churches, and institutions, saying they could continue to preach and teach that homosexual practice is wrong, will almost certainly be challenged by gay activists and secularists whose goal is to drive religious people, and especially Christians, out of the public square.” Same-sex marriage is only the beginning, by Cal Thomas

“The next battles in this arena will be over religious freedom and non-discrimination laws. Same-sex couples are expected to request to have marriages performed in churches. Justice Alito warned in his separate dissent the ramifications of today’s decision could be far reaching and totalitarian, ‘It will be used to vilify Americans who are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy … The implications of this analogy will be exploited by those who are determined to stamp out every vestige of dissent.'” High Court’s Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ Decision Uses 14th Amendment to Ignore 1st and 10th Amendments, by Rachel Alexander

“But, it does not stop with last week’s instituted law for same-sex marriage in all 50 states. Gill said he has spent ‘$327 million already and will spend more.’ Under the new organization, Freedom For All Americans, he plans to launch a campaign using the same principles the Gill Foundation used to bring about today’s SCOTUS decision. The campaign focuses on implementing ‘non-discrimination acts’ in states that currently do not have them. They plan to begin with Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas, and then branch out from there. The end goal is ‘to halt or unwind religious freedom acts’ in our country.’ ….Their strategy begins with finding Republicans in these states who will vote for what they want and then putting those Republicans into office. When Money Talks, Politics Listens: The Story of Tim Gill and How he Changed American Culture over the Last Ten Years.

“Jonah Goldberg was on before me, and advanced the proposition, after the Supreme Court’s almighty constitutional bender last week, that it wasn’t so bad; conservatives who just pottered around in their own world and tended to their families would still be able to lead lives largely unbattered by the forces of “progress”. A few minutes later, one of Bill’s listeners, Claudine, came on and said that’s what Germans reckoned in the 1930s: just keep your head down and the storm will pass. How’d that work out”? Going With the Flow, by Mark Steyn.

“The Department of Justice argued in a brief to a federal court on Monday that transgender high school students should be able to use school restrooms that match up with their gender identity, and can’t be forced by the school to use the restroom that matches up with their physical characteristics. It’s the first time the federal government has tried to make the case for this transgender right in a courtroom.

“Under Title IX, discrimination based on a person’s gender identity, a person’s transgender status, or a person’s nonconformity to sex stereotypes constitutes discrimination based on sex,” Justice wrote. “As such, prohibiting a student from accessing the restrooms that match his gender identity is prohibited sex discrimination under Title IX.” Justice Dept.: Transgender students can use bathrooms that match their gender identity

Americans of all ages, including Christians, are more accepting of homosexuality and gay marriage than ever before. Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage, by Pew Research Center

“In the end, most people want to be like most people. That’s why they tell you the weekend movie grosses on the Monday morning news and put the Top Ten bestsellers at the front of Barnes & Noble – so that you can like what everybody else likes.” Mark Steyn.

Americans are simply too thin-skinned to tolerate the mildest forms of criticism. Perhaps we could learn how to face persecution from Nigerian Christians.

“As American evangelicals contemplated the impending loss of religious liberty resulting from Friday’s court decision, I remembered Nigerian Christians who lost life and limb because of their allegiance to Christ. There was the Christian man who refused Boko Haram’s demand to embrace Islam or die. His response: “Nothing shall separate me from the love of Christ.” A black-clad Islamist shot him in the face. (Remarkably, the Christian survived. Many others have perished.) There was the Christian father I spoke to from his hospital bed, where he was still recovering from a Boko Haram ambush in his village months ago. When armed jihadists demanded he convert to Islam from Christianity, the Christian answered, “God forbid.” The attackers fatally shot his wife, and nearly killed him with a machete. He survives with a missing right arm, a severely wounded left arm, and five motherless children. When I asked how I could pray for him, the Christian’s answer was similar to many others suffering great loss in Nigeria: “Pray that I will stand fast.” Indeed, the central concern of many Nigerian Christians I met wasn’t for the removal of their trial, but for their perseverance in it. Nigerian Christians Show us How to Face Persecution.

Church Leaders who are True to the Word of God

If you want to know if a church’s leadership relies on the Word of God and seeks approval from God, not man, this is what they will say to their congregation:

Pastor Jim Harper, Mountain Bible Church, Payson, Arizona.

“There are undoubtedly people in our midst this morning who are either living a homosexual lifestyle or struggle with the temptation to do so. If I’m correct, I want you to hear three things from me this morning: 1) I love you and Jesus does too; 2) You are welcome at Mountain Bible Church; 3) Homosexuality is a ‘sin’ according to the bible and leads to God’s judgment.

“I am against Friday’s decision not because I believe homosexuality is an abhorrent lifestyle. Not because history has always upheld traditional marriage. I’m against homosexuality as an act and as an alternative marriage option because the Bible calls it a sin and calls men and women to turn from it or be judged.

“Now some of you here today have already pulled out a pen and started writing me a note about how thankful you are for my strong stand against such horrible sins as homosexuality. Hold your applause for just a moment. First consider Paul’s words in 1 Cor.:

“9: Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men (homosexuals) 10: nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11: And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

“Does Paul consider homosexuality a sin? Sure does. So did Moses, Peter and Jesus indirectly in numerous places. But notice something. Paul mentioned eight other categories of sin that, unless turned from, will cause a person to die in their sins. What about those other eight categories? Those of us staunchly against homosexuality, are you and I guilty of any of those? Are those OK, as long as we don’t stoop to the abhorrent level of homosexuality? No…according to Paul it’s all sin. And the habitual practice of any sin will not only destroy our lives, but will, worse yet, cause us to die in our sins, and be separated from God forever.”

The Very Reverend John Lankeit, Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona.

His comparison of Justice Kennedy’s remarks to the Declaration of Independence, and to the serpent in the Garden of Eden was incredibly accurate. Kennedy has usurped the role of God, and even advised that we humans should have the liberty to define our own concept of existence, and of the meaning of the universe. Kennedy ruled against God and in favor of Man as his or her own god. The battle lines have been drawn, whether any of us like it or are ready for it. On one side will be those rooted in fleeting feelings, and in the church of the political cult. On the other will be a smaller group of believing, committed Christians who will stand up for God, anchored to an unshakable knowledge that God is truly in control. His solution is not to vilify the other side, or be angry. Rather, the solution is to shine the Light of Christ, through our daily, believing lives. The homily begins at around the 21:00 minute mark. Catholic Mass: June 28, 2015

Church Leaders Counsel Members After Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Decision. Posted June 30, 2015 on the website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be read in all meetings this coming Sunday, July 5.

“Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife”….”Consistent with our fundamental beliefs, Church officers will not employ their ecclesiastical authority to perform marriages between two people of the same sex, and the Church does not permit its meetinghouses or other properties to be used for ceremonies, receptions, or other activities associated with same?sex marriages. Nevertheless, all visitors are welcome to our chapels and premises so long as they respect our standards of conduct while there.” Click HERE to read the full text.

Michael Youssef, Ph.D., Founder and President of Leading The Way. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia.

“When 5 black-robed nonelected officials rewrite the Constitution, we are under obligation to say, ‘God is right, and you are wrong’! Otherwise, we will end up in a dictatorship. And our grandchildren will say to us, ‘Why didn’t you speak and resist, when you had the freedom to do so’”? Click HERE to see video.

Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona.

“I stand in solidarity with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in expressing my disappointment with today’s ruling by the Supreme Court.

“Marriage is an institution that predates all governments and has served civilization well through the years. God Himself is its author. There can be many forms of love, but marital love is unique and can only exist between a man and a woman. It is through this love that children are best served, as well as society as a whole.

“The Catholic Church remains sincere in striving to love all people, regardless of their sexual attraction. For this reason, we are strongly committed to preserving the conjugal definition of marriage, and will continue to speak the truth on this matter of most profound importance.”

So-Called Same-Sex Marriage: Lamenting the New Calamity.

“For those who have forsaken God’s path of sexual fulfillment, and walked into homosexual intercourse or heterosexual extramarital fornication or adultery, Jesus offers astonishing mercy. Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11). But today this salvation from sinful sexual acts was not embraced. Instead there was massive institutionalization of sin.” Click HERE to read the full text.

THE FAMILY: A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD.The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets. Click HERE to read the full text.

An Open Letter to The Masters Seminary Alumni, by John MacArthur.

“In the coming days, you will be expected as a shepherd to provide commentary and comfort to your flock. This is a critical hour for pastors, and stands as another reminder of why proper training is crucial.

“I’m writing this short message as one pastor to another. Media outlets are bustling with updates, and I don’t need to add my voice to the general fray. Instead, I want to help you shepherd your church through this confusing time. In addition to the helpful articles on the Preaching and Preachers Blog, http://www.tms.edu/preachersandpreaching/a-biblical-response-to-homosexuality/ I also want to communicate the below thoughts that I trust will help you frame the issue in a biblical way.” Click HERE to read the full text.