FROM THE PASTOR: A Responce to the USA's Court Decision on "Marriage Equality"

Good morning LPC family... I have been watching and listening to the many responses to the USA's court decision to re-define the word marriage. The discussion seems not about the re-definition of marriage but call to accept and approve of homosexual behavior. It seems that now respectful disagreement is not allowed... in fact it is called intolerance (the BIG sin of our age it seems) if you disagree.
MANY are being caught up in the wave of loud voices that calling Christians, like me, to change my views. If I don't, I am a knuckle dragging bigot... to be hated and silenced.
I have publicly stated before that in the feelings of attraction one has are NOT sinful, it is what we DO (our actions) with those feeling that bring sin and ultimately death. OUR feelings or emotions or desires, no matter how powerful, must not lead us. If they do lead us will we go back to the days of “everyone does what is right in their own eyes?” I fear we are already on the path. The laws will change in time and society will get all they want, which will, in the end I fear, NOT be what anyone wants.
I feel that people who STRONGLY disagree with the decision of the supreme court of the USA decision (and the one in Canada, years ago) on the re-definition of marriage have no right to stand up and say so. They are afraid of what would be the response of what other people might say. ALSO, I feel that when pressed to answer why we do not agree, we do not have the words to respond clearly, lovingly and thoughtfully.
 
NO... I do not HATE people who live or act differently than me, but I also do not approve of their actions if they act in a manner that the Word of God says is not permissible on whatever the issue. We must not run away from these discussions but have the words to answer why we disagree, with love.  NO... I am not better than anyone and have great brokeness in my life... I need help and in the Bible as it called me to put to death the deads of the flesh and live in the righteousness that God gives us.

ROM 6 says " 11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.  

14For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

15What then?  Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!

 16Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?  

17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 

18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Clear...
Here are some VERY helpful links that I have been encouraged and helped. Maybe they will be a help to you. I pray that we can have the resolve of pastor Rick Warren when he says, “I fear the disapproval of God more than I fear your disapproval of you (Piers Morgan) or the disapproval of society.”
I am praying for you today. 

PASTOR KEVIN SAWATSKY
 

Links
http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2015/07/01/40-questions-for-christians-now-waving-rainbow-flags/ 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFM8MhHn23Q 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n078cvLw8I 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdWthS63sZ0