We knew it was coming, but it was still a sad day for America

I think we all knew it was coming. But that didn't take away from the sadness and extreme disappointment when the 5-4 decision of the Supreme Court was announced Friday, declaring state bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

As I said, it was no surprise. Our nation, which was once founded on Christian and Biblical principles, has abandoned its roots. It can no longer lay any claim to being a Christian nation. After all, what people who count themselves Christian could ban the Bible from schools, the 10 Commandments from public buildings, restrict prayer, support the murder of millions of unborn children and, now, endorse a definition of marriage entirely contrary to that of the Bible?

Jesus said (Matthew 19:4-6): "Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

Add to that the prohibitions and condemnation of homosexuality and adultery in Genesis 19, Exodus 20, Leviticus 18, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, Galatians 5, Revelation 21 and elsewhere and it is clear that no follower of Christ can support same-sex marriage, adultery or any other sin condemned by the Bible.

So, what will happen? I think Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis, hit the nail on the head when he wrote on Friday: "This ruling in favor of gay 'marriage' by the Supreme Court is actually going to fundamentally change the culture in America and apart from a miracle of God -- a special movement of God -- this is going to be basically an irreversible situation. And I really believe that to understand what is happening to America now, read Romans chapter 1. That is really a picture of what is going on. We're going to see increased persecution against Christians; we're going to see increased antagonism toward Christianity. We're going to see the restriction of the free exercise of religion, freedom of religion and free speech in this nation, particularly in regard to Christianity. I believe we're going to see the government move against Christian churches, colleges, institutions and organizations that take a stand on Biblical marriage as God commands us to in the Bible going back to the book of Genesis."

His answer agrees with what the Bible teaches in 2 Timothy 3:1-5,12-13: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away ... Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived...."

Already Christians who simply teach what the Bible teaches are accused of being unloving and hateful for not embracing the sinful lifestyles of the world. We can only expect it to get worse as our nation flounders in its rejection of the LORD God and His Christ (Psalm 2). This isn't about discrimination; it's about being faithful to Christ and His Word!

And what people do not see is that they are being deceived by a lie of the evil one. And, whereas, his lies and deception used to be small, this lie is now so big that the blindness and foolishness of our people and government is beyond comprehension (cf. Romans 1:21ff.). Even without the Bible and Christian teaching, human anatomy and reproductive science reveal the perversion our people are accepting as the norm. We've swallowed a lie as big as an elephant in one bite -- trunk, body, tail, excrement and all -- and most people don't even suffer indigestion!

This is, of course, all the more reason for Bible-believing Christians to do what St. Paul directs Timothy to do in the remaining verses of 2 Timothy 3 (14-17): "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

As I've written before, the Supreme Court's foolish decision will open the gates for lawsuits against churches and ministers who hold to the Biblical definition of marriage and refuse to perform or host same-sex ceremonies. Churches and ministers would be wise to get ready and consider their legal options. And I'm convinced the only safe option -- especially in states which require ministers to have their credentials on file with the county clerk before they perform marriages for the state -- may be to withdraw those credentials and discontinue performing state marriages. After all, marriage as now defined by the Supreme Court bears little resemblance to the marriage covenant defined by the Bible. Let the state handle state marriages and the churches the vows of a Biblical marriage covenant!

Numerous times I have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the constitution and laws of the state in which I served as a peace officer, and I deeply love this land and nation. I sincerely respect the men and women who have and still do put their lives on the line to defend our constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms. But the next time you see me salute the flag or pledge my allegiance (if I even can do it anymore), you can bet it is to the nation it was and still should be under the Constitution and not to the corrupt nation it has become. Instead, I will more likely turn and bow my head in prayer that God have mercy upon our people and restore them to a knowledge of the truth!

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Editorial on 07/01/2015