The Values Debate

God has a funny way of working things out sometimes.

As I was preparing for a lesson on Matthew 7:6, the whole gay marriage debate blew up nationally.  The Bible is front and center in this debate.  There's no way of separating my belief in scripture and my belief in traditional marriage.

I won't mince words.  I believe homosexuality is a sin.  I can't argue against scriptures like Leviticus 18:22, 1 Corinthians 6:9 or Romans 1:27-28.  Scripture repeatedly labels homosexual behavior as sinful.  Scripture also says the same thing about cohabitation between heterosexuals.  Jesus' teachings on lust would squarely put viewing pornography as a sin. 

Most of those ideas are now widely accepted behavior in our society. 

However, if I believe the Bible is God's revelation to us (and I do) and I believe the Bible is without error (which I do) and that I should live my life and form my values based upon it (and I do), then my values and standards must go beyond what society accepts.  I have to value God's revealed word more than I value being accepted.  I must place the Bible as a higher value than someone's opinion of me or of themselves.

That is exactly what Jesus talks about in Matthew 7:6.  He says if you have something valuable, you don't throw it to the dogs or pigs.  It will be destroyed.  If you value God's word, you don't discard it when it's convenient.  If you believe in the Bible, you don't put it away because it doesn't jive with what your friend is saying.  Your scriptural values can't be tossed away.

That goes beyond the gay marriage debate.  It's part of your everyday life decisions.  You can't discount the Bible so you can do what you want and think what you want.  If you do, you're treating God like trash and throwing him to the pigs and dogs.

My relationship with Jesus is far too important to toss it in the slop.  I can't leave him at the door when I vote, when I'm with my friends or when I face a big decision.  He is at the core of my being.  I refuse to dismiss his words - even if it costs me dearly.

For me, He is too valuable.

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