*The people we think are too smart for their own good may do the unthinkable! Just look at today’s political arena.
Do we have to agree with the Supreme Court’s ruling to approve same-sex marriage as the law of the land? No…and we have a right to our own opinion!
But since it has become the law of the land – handed down by the highest judicial office – we are instructed by the Bible to be good citizens and respect the law.
However, what’s taking place now in America could work against true believers and purveyors of the true gospel. What will become of America if all the religions represented within the borders of this land decide to exercise their right to impose their beliefs upon others?
Kimberly Jean Bailey Davis, a county clerk in Rowan County, Kentucky is being lauded as a hero – akin to a rock star – for her refusal to issue same-sex marriage licenses (which is her job) because it goes against her religious beliefs. I happen to agree with those who see this as setting a precedent for other religious groups to deny public service to those who do not share their beliefs. Under the principals of American freedom this could have serious, far-reaching ramifications.
Same-sex marriage is now the official law of the land; but biblically, we could look at this situation through two different lenses: Daniel’s refusal to obey the king’s edict; and Jesus’ instruction to render unto Caesar. Both recorded instances had the backdrop of a theocracy (dictatorship), but how would they play out in a democracy?
In Daniel’s case some people conspired to put him at odds with the king by coercing the king to sign a proclamation that directly went against Daniel’s beliefs: “The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.” [Daniel 6:7 NIV]
According to scripture Daniel – defying the edict and continuing to pray openly to the true God – was thrown into the lion’s den and miraculously survived.
In Jesus’ case Luke 20: 20-26 (NIV) records: [Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
He saw through their duplicity and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.]
In Matthew 13: 24-30 (NIV) Jesus spoke this parable: [“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”]
Is Kim (“lightning rod”) Davis following the path of Daniel or of Jesus? Are her motives a matter of convenience? Is she feeding into or inciting radicalism?
According to Wikipedia: “From 1991 to 2015, Davis served as chief deputy clerk of Rowan County, reporting to her mother, Rowan County Clerk Jean W. Bailey.[12] Kentucky law permits elected county officials to employ their family members and to determine their compensation.[12]
Davis won the Democratic primary,[13] advancing to the general election against Republican John Cox.[15] After defeating Cox in the general election, Davis told the Morehead News, “My words can never express the appreciation but I promise to each and every one that I will be the very best working clerk that I can be and will be a good steward of their tax dollars and follow the statutes of this office to the letter.”[15][16][1]
To the letter? With her privileged position she obviously has never felt a real threat to her income or lifestyle to take the stance that she did. Perhaps her experience was providential to bring this issue to fore in such times as these. Could the outcome of Kim Davis’ case become a Pandora’s Box and serve to further disunite the United States of America?
As I’ve written before, I think a lot of the controversy would subside if we would call same-sex union as something else besides ‘marriage’. The term and definition of ‘Marriage’ belongs to God. ‘Caesar’ needs to find his own term and definition for same-sex unions.
Larry Buford is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer. Author of “Things Are Gettin’ Outta Hand” (Steuben Pub) www.amazon.com. E-mail: [email protected] Visit the author at www.larrybuford.com. (213) 220-8101
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