Gay Marriage. Now What?

As most everyone knows by now, the Supreme Court has made gay marriage the law of the land by a 5-4 vote. Without question, the decision will change the landscape of America as much, or more than, anything has in many decades. The impact, although immediate, will not be fully felt until all the many ramifications begin filtering down into numerous aspects throughout the culture. What many fail to realize is that this new law is not simply about what some can now legally do. It is much more. This new law will impose restrictions on many who may disagree with what has just occurred and who dare to take a public stand against it. 

Those who want any influence removed from the organized church, the main voice that has spoken out against what has just occurred, are already making their desires and goals known. To see this reaction is as easy as looking at a current article in Time magazine where the author, in light of the ruling, is calling for the removal of all church-related tax exempt benefits. The related scenarios that will follow for those taking a biblically-based stand are easily predicted and almost infinite. 

What will happen to a pastor, and perhaps his church, if he fails to marry those who are now legally able to be linked together under the new law? What will happen to the Christian college that may resist allowing on-campus housing to gay couples based on the school's beliefs. What will be the future of Christian broadcasters who take a public, verbal stand against what has occurred? Will stations cancel their programs? And what will be the future of secular private or government businesses that are suddenly are forced to make a stand on hiring practices that could lead to severe consequences? If we don’t think that "test cases" are not already in the works as we speak, we are fooling ourselves. And if you think these kinds of things are somehow far fetched, take a few moments and read this article from Townhall.com.

Much more could be said on this landmark ruling that has changed our culture forever. And again, we have not seen the tip of the iceberg as far as how the entire society will be affected along the way. But many have quickly spoken out and summarized the views of millions who hold to the traditional view of marriage despite what 5 out of 9 justices have decided. One such group is the National Association of Evangelicals, a group that represents some 30 million church-goers across America. The following statement was issued by the group after the decision was handed down. It is a good summary and one worded far better than I ever could.

“While commentators, politicians and judges may revise their understanding of marriage in response to shifting societal trends, followers of Jesus should embrace his clear vision of marriage found in Matthew 19:4-6: “Haven’t you read,” Jesus replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Nothing in the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges opinion changes the truth about marriage. What has changed is the legal definition of marriage, which is now at variance with orthodox biblical faith as it has been affirmed across the centuries and as it is embraced today by nearly two billion Christians in every nation on earth.

"In its role as a moral teacher, the law now misleads Americans about the true nature of marriage. Evangelicals and other followers of the Bible have a heightened opportunity to demonstrate the attractiveness of loving Christian marriages and families. Evangelicals should renew their commitment to the sacrificial love and faithfulness to which Jesus calls all husbands and wives.

"As witnesses to the truth, evangelicals should be gracious and compassionate to those who do not share their views on marriage. Those who continue to embrace biblical teaching on marriage will increasingly appeal to the First Amendment protection not just for abstract belief, but for the practice of their faith. The National Association of Evangelicals calls on Congress to enact laws, on the president to implement policies, and on the courts to render judgments that uphold the freedom and human rights of all Americans.”

America is at yet another moral crossroads the impact of which is simply staggering. The church of Christ stands at the same exact spot with the world watching for its reaction. Christians need to keep in mind several things in response. Peter, in Acts 5:29, when he and the apostles were commanded to be silent as far as their faith and biblical beliefs were concerned, stated "We ought to obey God rather than men.”

And along the way, those in God’s family need also to act with the same kind of love and compassion as did Jesus when He encountered the woman who was caught red-handed in something Scripture clearly taught as wrong. His pattern was to embrace her, love her, and forgive her. But He did not stop there. Because He was her holy Savior, He also declared to her in no uncertain terms, "Go and sin no more" (John 8:3-11).

Yes, it is a time for compassion, grace and godly love. But these traits must also be coupled with something more. They must openly reflect the unflinching proclamation of God’s righteous standards. And they must always reveal sin, any and all sin, for what it is – both when that goes against cultural practices and even legal rulings.

Bill Breckenridge

What About America's Future?

The Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage, along with other troubling developments in our country, can be discouraging for believers. In his message “America in Prophecy”, David Virkler spoke about the possibilities for the future of the United States. We hope this excerpt from the print version will offer a positive outlook and be an encouragement to those who are citizens of both the US and God’s Kingdom.

I would suggest that God Almighty is looking down at what we as a nation are doing in several areas. It’s as though He folds His arms and waits and asks, “Well, what are you going to do about it? Where do you stand?” Perhaps, as some believe, we have already passed the point of no return and are now reaping the effects and fruit of not going God’s way.

God’s withdrawal of blessing is not based solely on people’s behavior. It is based on the approval of the majority! Romans 1:32 indicates that those who take part in sin are “deserving of death,” but so are those who approve of it. The Greek word translated “approve” also means “to consent.” One does not have to take part in sinful behavior but merely approve of it to feel its consequences. Society says that, in the interest of freedom and tolerance, people can do whatever they want to. Saying nothing is tacit approval. Tragically, this is the perfect way to receive God’s judgment.

But the good news is that all is not necessarily lost.

The most influential and strategic people in this country are God’s people. In that regard, there are several factors that can make a difference in the future of the United States:

Presence – Our nation hasn’t completely fallen apart because the Church is still here. I believe that America is somehow held together by the presence of God’s people. Believers are salt and light, and God has a plan and a program to use us to reach people for Christ and complete His church.

Prayer – Joel 2:12-17 announces a call to God’s people to repentance and prayer. The result would be refreshed land and a pouring out of God’s spirit. Prayer is not only a spiritual duty, it is also a civic duty. God’s Word commands that we pray “for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority” (I Timothy 2:1 & 2). “All men” is the electorate, and “all that are in authority” includes any elected or appointed official.

Performance – 2 Chronicles 34 tells the account of King Josiah. Unlike his father, he did what was right in the Lord’s eyes. He cleaned up the country and broke down the altars to the foreign gods. In the course of cleaning out and repairing the Temple, the Book of the Law was found. Josiah knew they hadn’t kept God’s Word as they should have and that great judgment would result. Josiah made a covenant to follow the Lord and keep His commandments, and he restored proper worship throughout Judah. Great national revival resulted, and God gave them a respite.

Preaching – Jonah 3:1-10 describes the greatest revival in world history. After trying to run from God’s assignment, Jonah preached to the great but sinful city of Ninevah. As a result, the entire city repented, and God’s judgment was averted. Perhaps it is not too late for America’s preachers to speak out against sin and urge people to come to repentance and salvation and bring about revival.

Revival either prevents disaster or prepares for it. We are in a most critical time here at the end of the Church Age, and God is counting on each one of us to make the difference!

Click here to listen to Dave’s message or here for information on ordering the full article.

Hawks Win The Cup Again

It has happened again – making it the third time in just six years. The National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks are champions of the hockey world after winning the series final in six games. It was a contest that lived up to its potential without a doubt and has the sporting world using a very special term – dynasty. The feat is somewhat remarkable especially when accomplished in an era of salary caps where great teams are hard to hold together for such a run.

The match with the Tampa Bay Lighting was about as tight as a series could be despite not going the full seven games. With the exception of the last game, which saw a final score of 2-0, every game was decided by just one goal, and neither team ever had more than a one goal lead in the first five meetings. The scores of every game were also very low. They seemed more like the results of soccer contests than hockey games even while featuring some of the greatest offensive players in the league.  

The grand prize, the famed Stanley Cup, is the oldest sports trophy in North America. It originated back in 1892. It is unique for a variety of reasons, one being the sheer difficulty and effort required to win it. There are other sports titles that require winning multiple series to triumph, but the grueling physical nature of hockey requires a level of physical survival and endurance that is unequaled in all of sports. A recent article on this subject revealed this reality through the detailed routines of trainers who deal with players when the season ends. They shared how badly beaten up they typically are when the players conclude the long hard season. Many even come in underweight due to the grueling nature of what they do day in and day out.

Hockey also requires a set of skills that are somewhat unique – mainly skating. A bit of boxing skill can come in handy, too, on occasion. Having played the sport for many years, I have an idea of what it takes to develop this rare skill on blades to an NHL level. Most simply can’t grasp it. I have young son who adores the sport. Like many kids, he dreams of hoisting the Cup someday just as did I when I was his age. He will often reveal how good he thinks he is at stick handling and shooting. But then he will always add, “The only little problem is that I can’t skate.” The only little problem? Obviously, most fans have no idea what an obstacle that is and what skating on a professional NHL level requires even  before all of the other demanding skills come into play.

But what perhaps makes winning the Stanley Cup most satisfying is the personal nature of what occurs shortly after the season's final buzzer sounds. A glance at the 35-pound piece of silver-plated hardware reveals the multiple round rings or layers that make it up. Each is engraved with the names of the victorious players, coaches and staff. This is fully unique and makes those involved feel like they possess a kind of sporting immortality. All the champions in all the major sports get a special ring for their victory. But to have one’s name etched on this 122-year old trophy is unparalleled. It must be beyond words to see one’s name written beside the greatest teams and names to ever play the game. So hockey’s historic Cup is not only extremely difficult to win, but offers a way of honoring the victors as no other sport does.

With all of that said, the practice of the names appearing on Lord Stanley’s Cup, as it is called, is a reminder of something referred to in the Bible – something far greater and important than any earthly victory or possession can match.

It is referred to in the New Testament as the "Book of Life". While trying to correct some friction between two believers  in one of the early churches, the Apostle Paul mentioned it in Philippians 4:2-3, “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”

This most sacred book is also mentioned repeatedly in Revelation. In chapter 20, John writes, “And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:12-15)

To be found listed in the Lamb’s book of eternal life requires being spiritually related to the Lamb Himself. And, unlike the Stanley Cup, which is really only attainable to a select few who excel in the craft, the attaining of salvation  is not something that can be earned or won through personal efforts, talents or skills. In reality, it comes exclusively be acknowledging the very opposite of those things.

Salvation can be achieved only when what is spelled out in Romans 3:23 is fully understood and accepted.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Once that great truth is realized, then step two is in order as seen in Romans: 9-10. “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” This reveals what etches every true believer’s name into the Book of Life forever.

Winning the famed Stanley Cup requires an amazing commitment. It is won by hard-working athletes who are willing to sacrifice almost anything to be immortalized on the historic hardware. It is an exclusive club to say the least. But redemption and forgiveness of sin comes through another sacrifice – a far higher one that involved both the physical and spiritual. It comes via the self-sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He did all the hard work for us that we could never do on our own.  His death on the cross to paid the full price for all of the sins ever committed. That is what His dying words from the cross, "It is finished" were all about!

Hockey's historic trophy, in all of its glory and with its heroes inscribed upon it, is temporary. It will someday burn up along with every other earthy object (1 Peter 3:10-12). But, in contrast, all who are found written on the pages of God’s book are safe from wrath and will one day reside in His glorious presence forever. That is a true and blessed immortality and one that is beyond any human ability to comprehend in this life.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:7-89)

Bill Breckenridge

The World's Greatest Crisis?

The New York Times recently revealed a devastating report stating that hundreds of girls as young as 11 have been raped and impregnated by members of Boko Haram. The radical Islamist sect has long targeted girls, including the 300 mostly Christian schoolgirls they kidnapped last year. These are actions of evil too terrible to imagine much less personally endure.

Popular Christian writer Ann Voskamp recently visited refugees in Northern Iraq who had fled ISIS. She noticed 5 and 7-year old girls among the families, but no 9-year-olds. The reason for what she saw was that ISIS sells 9-year-old girls in slave bazaars. Voskamp wrote, “They are categorized. Stripped, shipped naked, examined and distributed. They are sold and passed around like  meat and livestock.” Many are kept in large stark rooms indefinitely and just wait there each day to be selected at a moments notice to face the most cruel and inhumane treatment we can imagine.

One UN representative confirmed that  females are sold as sexual slaves for $43. The price rises to $172 for the youngest between ages 1–9. There was one  report of a  girl was “married” more than 20 times, each time forced to undergo surgery to “restore” her virginity.

It is well known that ISIS has institutionalized sexual violence and the brutalization of women as a central aspect of their ideology and operations. They do it for a variety of reasons. Their goals are to totally destabilize and demoralize a community, to placate other insurgent groups, increase their own numbers or to fund their own terrorist campaigns.

But recently there have been comments made by some leaders in the U.S. congress, and by the President himself, about what is the most serious issue in this present hour. It was not the wickedness that so many are today facing around the world. Instead, their crisis of choice is climate control.  Interesting. 

And while nobody in their right mind would make light of such a problem, if it exists on any serious level, I wonder what would be the number one crisis to the women, young girls and family members that are being brutalized every day as just described?  I wonder if the current 1/8 of an inch rise in the ocean levels per year is a major concern to 10-year old child being sold as a sex slave in Iraq or Nigeria. I wonder how much a father and husband who sees his wife and daughters kidnapped and enslaved worries about the reported half of one degree temperature increase per ‘decade’? And I wonder how much a teen who has been intentionally infected with AIDS and impregnated by a terrorist thinks about the ozone layer or the global use of fossil fuels?

Again, it would be foolish and irresponsible to ignore any real probable’s concerning the environment since that can impact us all. But to focus primarily on these very slowly moving tends, that may or may not continue down the road, above the large scale human suffering as taking place around the globe seems somehow  somewhat misguided and beyond insensitive.

Pray for those suffering things that many of us cannot fathom or perhaps care not to. Pray for the world leaders that have the ability to speak out, apply pressure and even use force to alleviate the suffering of helpless and innocent woman and children.  Especially pray that, in the midst of these unspeakable horrors, that some might even come to know Christ as Savior. And pray that Christians in these terrible places may somehow share the love of God and the salvation that is in Christ alone. And do all of this knowing that, in the final analysis, the world’s greatest overall problem will always be rejecting God’s salvation through Christ and facing eternal suffering and separation from Him!

"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" Luke 12:5

Bill Breckenridge

Click here to read an interesting article on politics and climate change.

Killer Quakes In Nepal

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilence’s, and earthquakes in various places.” Those were the words of Jesus in Matthew 24 when he was asked by His disciples for a sign of his return and when the end of the age would come.

And one such sign was seen in the form of a deadly earthquake in Nepal in late April -  one that was followed by another smaller one this week. The death toll for the large quake was over 8,000 along with another 19,000 being injured.  Nepal's Prime Minister has said the number of dead could reach 10,000.  The quake was estimated to be 16 times more powerful than Haiti’s 2010 disaster and was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal since the 1934.

According to the USGS, the temblor was caused by a sudden release of built-up stress, along the major fault line where the Indian Plate, carrying India, is slowly diving underneath the Eurasian Plate, carrying much of Europe and Asia. The earthquake triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing at least 19, making it the deadliest day on the mountain in history. Satellite images reveal that the highest mountain in the world actually lost a fraction of its height from the event.

Geophysicists and other experts had warned for decades that Nepal was vulnerable to a deadly earthquake, particularly because of its geology and architecture. Concern was expressed that harvests could now be reduced or lost this season as people affected by the earthquake would have only a short time to plant crops before the onset of the Monsoon rains. Nepal is one of Asia's poorest countries and has little ability to fund a major reconstruction effort on its own. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates economic losses from the temblor could reach about 35 percent.

But there is another aspect of what has occurred in that devastated region that was less reported than other news about the killer quake. It is estimated that some 45 of the Christian churches in the area were destroyed and that 500 hundred worshippers were killed. That is because Saturday, the day of the week that churches meet there for prayer, was the day when the event took place. And article in Christianity Today online shared the following headline from May, 4. ‘Nepal Christians Return to Worship after Earthquake Turns Churches into Tombs: Evangelicals bear brunt of Christian deaths.’

But what about the Christian church in Nepal? What is their normal existence like? According to CBN news, their numbers have grown from 29 people, when the first church was planted in Nepal 60 years ago, to nearly 1 million today. But the practice of their faith is not an easy one. The country’s Christians are looking for a new constitution because they do not really have equal rights and religious freedoms. One pastor said, "There’s no respect for Christianity and we are not allowed to have open fellowship. The government allows us to have fellowship inside a hall or a building, but our churches are not registered.

Nepali Christians are also disrespected in death. Rarely are Christians given a place for burial since extremists believe non-Hindu bodies desecrate the land. Christians report militants often force them to dig up the buried remains of loved ones. One Christian woman reportedly kept her deceased husband's decaying body in her home because she was prevented from burying him.

The bottom line is that Christian brothers and sisters in Nepal are facing a long hard road and one that was exacerbated by the recent events there. And yet, in the midst of it all, many are helping survivors deal with the crisis. Despite being outcasts, God’s people are showing His love through their reaction to universal suffering. And when considering that the quake took place at the exact time that they were worshipping, that must cause some to consider more the claims of Christ. One local pastor stated,  "We want to keep the witness of God in this place and improve the church. Our main purpose is to influence all of the villagers,"

Today, Nepal is a mission field even more than before the April earthquake. Christians there are suffering as are others. But the church there has hope and answers that others there do not. As God leads, pray for brothers and sisters in the Lord there. Pray for the rebuilding of their personal lives, their churches and for the sharing of their testimony even in a  hostile culture. And if God so moves, support those organizations that are helping to meet both the physical and spiritual needs in a difficult and devastated part of our shrinking world. Doing so will help fulfill the biblical injunction seen in Romans 12:15. 

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

Bill Breckenridge