It’s been interesting to observe the chicken sandwich skirmishes, which are part of the marriage battle, which is part of what is incorrectly referred to as the cultural war. There is no such thing. It is the war between darkness and light.
One of the things that continues to amaze me is how surprised disciples are in regard to the position of some in the world. And we’re equally astonished when we can’t talk them over to our way of thinking. Yet if you read through John’s writings, he makes it quite clear that there are people of light and people of darkness and they are mutually exclusive. John says that people who are entrenched in darkness hate those of the light because their deeds are righteous (3:12). The next thing out of his mouth is, “Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you,” (v. 13). Nonetheless—we’re surprised.
I understand that on a matter as fundamental as marriage—which affects everyone and everything, we feel as if we have to do something. I share that conviction. But I’ve also noticed that generally speaking, the more public the venue, the less impact we’re likely to have. (Having said that, I recognize it’s not always our intent to be persuasive). Still, once the media gets involved, it seems the inevitable result is more heat than light and it becomes the breeding ground for self-righteousness (on either side), and other undesirable things.
What all of this means to me is rather than indiscriminately piling on in response to the latest call for action, I need to prayerfully look at each situation and examine both my motives as well as what I hope to accomplish. Who might be helped? Who might be hurt? I don’t know that there are any easy answers here (if there are I certainly don’t have them), but that doesn’t mean we can’t do our best. I know this about Jesus—He could hold a position without drawing a line. There was no doubt what He stood but also who He stood for. No matter what I decide to do, I want to be like that.
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 