Huffington Post..."WASHINGTON -- The Defense of Marriage Act, the law barring the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages legalized by the states, is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday by a 5-4 vote.
'The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity,' Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. 'By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment.'"
An urgent letter to my friends who identify themselves as followers of Jesus...
"Yesterday (June 26, 2013) The Supreme Court published its opinion on United States v. Windsor. The sun came up this morning, as it always has. A new day. Here's the reality: nothing has changed. As believers we are called to love the world as Christ loved the world, unconditionally, and be instruments of grace and healing.
If history teaches us anything, it's that culture, people, tend to go the way they're going. The Court's opinion simply affirms what history so clearly demonstrates. As a believer my mission has not changed one bit. This ruling serves to underscore the urgency (NOT to fall back and counterattack) of what God has called me to do personally, within my spheres of influence, and corporately, through my community of faith; seek to demonstrate the love of God in tangible ways that will move people closer to personal faith in Christ. This means I must do everything I can to make hard lives easier--regardless of the spiritual outcome.
My church (the community of believers regardless of religious tradition) must understand that it is not about us; about making the world bend to what makes us comfortable and secure. It's about the world. We should expect that people who have not embraced the reality of God's love, will choose to live in ways that do not reflect that reality. This fact should not repel us, it should compel us to resolve to love those not like us in the same way that God loves them--generously, redemptively, graciously. This is faithfulness to God's vision for His church, and His world."
Grace wins.
'The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity,' Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. 'By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment.'"
An urgent letter to my friends who identify themselves as followers of Jesus...
"Yesterday (June 26, 2013) The Supreme Court published its opinion on United States v. Windsor. The sun came up this morning, as it always has. A new day. Here's the reality: nothing has changed. As believers we are called to love the world as Christ loved the world, unconditionally, and be instruments of grace and healing.
If history teaches us anything, it's that culture, people, tend to go the way they're going. The Court's opinion simply affirms what history so clearly demonstrates. As a believer my mission has not changed one bit. This ruling serves to underscore the urgency (NOT to fall back and counterattack) of what God has called me to do personally, within my spheres of influence, and corporately, through my community of faith; seek to demonstrate the love of God in tangible ways that will move people closer to personal faith in Christ. This means I must do everything I can to make hard lives easier--regardless of the spiritual outcome.
My church (the community of believers regardless of religious tradition) must understand that it is not about us; about making the world bend to what makes us comfortable and secure. It's about the world. We should expect that people who have not embraced the reality of God's love, will choose to live in ways that do not reflect that reality. This fact should not repel us, it should compel us to resolve to love those not like us in the same way that God loves them--generously, redemptively, graciously. This is faithfulness to God's vision for His church, and His world."
Grace wins.
No comments:
Post a Comment