Love wins! On this historic day, June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that same sex marriage is constitutionally permissible. #LoveWins is all over Twitter and Facebook.
I can’t argue with #LoveWins. I believe that with all of my heart, love wins every time.
“God is love.” 1 John 4:8b
God wins every time. Let me say that again. God wins every time. In my opinion, the love that would be defined by #LoveWins is incomplete and lacking. God has established Himself and even gone so far as to identify Himself by love. I believe we can only know the true depths of the definition of love by looking at God’s redemptive narrative. God’s word (the Bible) has been and remains to be faithful in the explanation and revelation of God’s heart, plan, and overall consummation of time.
God is still on the throne. There is nothing that escapes His eye or His understanding. Take into account that He knew this was going to happen even before the SCOTUS made their ruling.
What then is the Christian response? I have three thoughts:
1. Love. Let me say it again, love wins. As we move forward, it is with renewed zeal that we be dedicated to God’s mission. It is a saying that should be accepted among all Christians, Jesus Christ came to save sinners. He has chosen us to be conveyers of that message. One that calls people into relationship, repentance, and the receiving of God’s forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ.
2. Love. I'll say it again, love wins. Sometimes it's helpful to say what love isn't. I don't believe love is to alienate people with degrading remarks and hurtful quips. In our approach to this community we should seek to do away with the "us vs. them" mentality. We are all sinners. Some of us are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, being a gift of God, not anything that we have done ourselves. Therefore the arrogance, pride, and offense that often comes from the Christian community should not be there. I’m reminded of the words of James, Jesus’ half brother:
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20
3. Love some more. I’ll repeat myself, love wins. Let your hearts be moved for the LGBTQ community. These are people, made in God’s image, who are just as lost and trapped in the clutches of sin like all people who come to Christ needing a savior. May we pray for them. May we love them earnestly. May we not mistake love for condoning action. May we seek the wisdom of God for ourselves and each other on how He would have us be apart of His plan of redemption for their souls.
I’m encouraged as we read the Bible, we know how it ends. God wins. Therefore #LoveWins every time.