Did you vote? As I post this blog it is the night before Election Day and hopefully we have all voted early but if you have not then tomorrow is your day to make a difference. Elections have consequences and Houston has been the poster child for the consequences of carelessly ignoring local city elections. Unfortunately, this is the norm for city elections. Less than 12% vote in their local elections.
Here in Texas we have seen two major cities local elected officials vote for city ordinances that favor the LGBT movement and discriminate against Christian businesses and our inalienable rights given by God. In San Antonio the effort to overturn that ordinance was successful but in Houston, the Mayor and city attorney have chosen to abuse their power by ignoring 55,000 signatures gathered to put the ordinance on the ballot for a vote of the citizens.
These are two good examples why we, as citizens, need to engage at the local level – city council, school board and county commissioners. Christians need to not only pay attention, find and support good candidates but consider running for office themselves. We need people who fear God and seek His wisdom in these positions. As we have seen, those who have rejected Him tend to also want to persecute those who fear Him.
To me, the whole episode in Houston is a great teachable moment because it reveals the true agenda behind same sex marriage and special rights laws or ordinances that many believe are harmless to society. The evangelical young people of today find nothing wrong with two people who love each other getting married even if they are the same sex. Even though they know what God says about the subject they still think it is okay because they have grown up with this alternative lifestyle present in almost every movie, TV show, music video and every other media outlet. They have been conditioned to accept sin as normal.
Because of this they have been discipled to believe it is a valid lifestyle choice with no natural consequences. God’s laws are to protect us from the natural consequences of sin (i.e. our decisions) but he gives us the ability to choose whether to accept His wisdom or to accept the world’s wisdom. His law is not to be mean and hurtful but to give us the true liberty and success in life each one of us desires in our hearts. He wants the best for us because He loves us.
The Mayor of Houston clearly revealed that taking away individual God-given rights from the majority is a key part of the GLBT agenda. It could be seen as a type of vendetta against Christians who believe the Bible is God’s infallible word. The goal is to silence all opposition to their chosen lifestyle. The reason God instituted marriage was for the nurture and care of children who are the future of not just our family lines but also the whole world. It is only through the loving, secure relationship of one man and one woman that this can be accomplished.
God gave us the ability to create life. He is pro-life at all stages of the life cycle. The LGBT lifestyle does not promote life. Yes, they can adopt but recent studies show the ramifications for the children of those couples and it is no better than if they were born into a single parent family. They experience the same percentage of problems. God created us to need both a mother and a father.
It is important to raise our children to understand that the purpose of showing that lifestyle in every TV show is to get them to accept that as a valid lifestyle. Give them the truth of God’s word and ask them who they think knows better how to have a good life filled with blessing? Also, ask them if they are willing to give up their right to freedom of religion to appease less than 3% of the population? Then ask them if it is right to obey man (man’s laws) over God’s law?
Our individual rights are not to infringe on someone else’s rights. It is that principle that has made America a nation that allows everyone to practice the religion of their choice. Also, the lifestyle of their choice without being persecuted or discriminated against. Apparently, that is not good enough anymore. Those who oppose God want to persecute those who embrace God and His truths. Now the question is are we going to take the courageous stand for truth or are we going to stay silent and let sin gain even more converts?
In Joshua 24:15 God through Joshua challenges the people on whom they will serve, whether the God of Israel or the gods of the nations around them. God is giving us this challenge today. Joshua made it clear where he stood when he said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” I pray that is your choice for this day and hour.
Next Week: Thanking the Defenders of Liberty
Dinner Table Discussion Questions: Are we, as Christians, ready for persecution?