Ever-Shifting Landscape

We live in an ever-shifting landscape. Roles are being redefined, laws are being changed and ideology is being shifted. It is all part of the Post-modern world that we currently live in.

Two main aspects that have been reshaped are: Same-Sex Marriage and Gender Roles

There has been a law change handed down by the Supreme Court in USA that Gay Marriage is now legal. There is also a growing call for Gender Neutral Language, this may be the after-effect of feminism. There are more claims that certain comments, assumptions and categorization is sexist. It can be claimed as sexist but I still believe that it has been over policed at this stage.

1. Men and Women have their own roles. No, I do not mean that women are restricted to the kitchen and men are to be the sole bread-winner of the household and can treat his wife like a slave who cooks and sleeps with him on demand. However, a woman cannot substitute the presence of a man and a man cannot replicate the love and nurture of a woman.

2. There is a call for more freedom of choice (which is the agenda behind equal rights –  same sex marriage and gender inclusive language). This ‘freedom of choice’ is only going to bring about more confusion. The illusion of definitions is that it is not a way of putting people in their place or boxes but rather a way for people to understand their capabilities best and how to utilized their characteristics within their role. In boundaries, there is more freedom because of greater understanding. One example being – boys are going to grow up confused about how to exercise their masculinity and control their aggression because they have been taught to suppress it.

As Christians, these progressions should not influence our behaviour and how we live for God. In fact, Christianity is best as an influence when it is living in the sharpest contrast to the world. The light shines the brightest in the darkest world. Rather than focusing on the ‘issue’ of gay marriage, let us repair that damage we as Christians have caused with marriage. How can we point out the issue of same sex marriage when we have our own issues with Christian couples divorcing? Let us not look at the external issues but rather the internal problems.

Matthew 7:3-5 –   “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Rather than pointing the finger, condemning people and playing the blame game, which we should not even be doing in the first place; let’s be the change we want to see. Lead the transformation as Jesus did. Simply because it is legal in the world doesn’t mean it is the way we should walk. In fact, Gay Marriage being legalized was inevitable, due to the growing support from the secular world. Christianity is always going to be walking in the other direction of the world and this is part of the challenge (Matthew 7:13-14)

As we look to be the change, we have people in our church who believe sex before marriage is not an issue, yet it is on the same line as homosexual acts (fornication; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20). We have people that have numerous sexual partners and live in promiscuity, yet we point out that homosexuals can’t do that. We have Christians that accept porn is the norm and acceptable to indulge in, when it is clearly defined in the Bible as not acceptable (Matthew 5:28, Proverbs 6:25)

Matthew 7:24-27 – Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Rather than get upset, offended, hurt, lash out, or sit passively believing the world is going downhill. Let us take action and lead by example. Let couples participate in a marriage that glorifies God. Let’s lead with Godly marriages that do not end in divorce but have couples stick it out through thick and thin because of the covenant they made and the love that grows between them. Lets raise strong families in the way God intended it to be, with a strong father’s influence and a mother’s love. Let single Christians honor others, and pursue righteousness. Let men rise up in churches, knowing who they are and what they have been called for; allow their influence to shape their environment, when it comes to their household, community and nation; rather than taking the back seat. Let women rise up, walk in dignity, be classy and bring the care, nurture and love that they can only bring. Let them bring the woman’s touch that they have whatever form in may be in. Lets see men and women respect each other for who they are and support, encourage one another.

Ultimately, let us love the world for it is the second ultimate commandment spoken by Jesus, (the first being – love God; Mark 12:30-31) and also let’s lead by example through a righteous life. Let’s be the light and expose sin for what it is. Through love, people will respond because God’s love will expose darkness and draw people to Him, after all we were drawn to Him in the first place

2 Timothy 2:25 – Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.

Love and guidance are the two greatest response we can bring to this world, especially in an ever-shifting landscape.