The hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ and our confidence in the sovereignty of God gives Baptists in Kentucky joy and optimism even in the face of today’s ruling.
I don’t think many people in America are surprised by the SCOTUS ruling in favor of same sex marriage. Given the tenor of the court and the culture, frankly, I would have been shocked by any other outcome.
Moving forward, one of the most pressing questions now regards religious liberty. Does the ruling threaten this foundational principle of American law and life? In the majority opinion, Justice Kennedy writes:
Finally, it must be emphasized that religions, and those who adhere to religious doctrines, may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned. The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, and to their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have long revered. The same is true of those who oppose same-sex marriage for other reasons.
Appealing to the First Amendment, biblically faithful Baptists in Kentucky will continue to preach and teach God’s truth on the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman, as well as the sinfulness of the homosexual lifestyle. Should the First Amendment fail to provide protection to the Church, nothing changes. Like the early disciples, those who love the Lord and live by His Word will continue to do what pleases God rather than men and face whatever consequences Caesar may bring.
As for our ministry to those who practice homosexuality, again, nothing has changed. We will continue to love all sinners and hate all sin, including the sin of homosexuality.
Our prayer is that those who are bound by sin and lost from God’s family will believe the gospel, be adopted in Christ, and be liberated. Our churches are loving and welcoming to all people of all faiths and those who have no faith even though we refuse to affirm any belief or practice that contradicts the word of God. As people who have been saved by the Lord Jesus from our own sin and sinful lifestyles, we approach others with grace, love, and mercy. To avoid being unloving, we refuse to compromise the truth of God’s word.
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