President Obama's Justifies Same-Sex Marriage With Scripture

     Familiar to many people, even those who are not Christians, is the passage in Matthew's Gospel chapter 7, verse 12.  It has been called the "Golden Rule."  There are several different phrasings of the verse but the NRSV has it:  "In everything do good to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."
     More recently President Obama referenced the Golden Rule in his support of same-sex marriage.  Citing his faith, he told ABC, "In the end, the values that I care most deeply about, and she (Michelle Obama) cares most deeply about is how we treat people.  We're both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with views of others but when we think about our faith the thing at root that we think about is not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf but it's also the golden rule--  treat others the way you'd want to be treated."
     While it is good a president references both Christ's sacrifice and our Lord's words about treating others with love, it does not follow that his interpretation as applied to same sex marriage is an accurate one.  The Golden rule cannot be meant to indicate that "anything goes."  On the contrary, our Lord never compromised on values even though his forgiveness could touch the worst of sinners.  He was very forgiving and loving toward a woman who had committed adultery several times.  However, that did not mean that he condoned her sins.  Tolerating her sinful behavior would have been no help to her at all.
     "Hate the sin but love the sinner."  Both actions are a challenge. We can end up hating sinners whose behavior we do not approve.  That is a tragic mistake.  However, in "loving the sinner" we can also forget to "hate the sin."  God is love.  But God hates sin.  And so should we.  It is self-destructive and  corrosive for a society.  It was our sin that necessitated the crucifixion to which our President referred.
     He got it wrong on this one.

ANGELS UNAWARE

     On occasion people slip into one of our worship services unnoticed.  During the "shaking of the hands" with the preacher, I realize they are present.  The writer of Hebrews put it this way, "do not neglect to show hospitalilty to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it!"   Reference here may be to Abraham and Sarah who welcomed a foreigner into their camp and found out it was an angelic figure.  But we never know for sure who we might be welcoming!
     He doesn't have wings but a few weeks ago, George ("Dub") Steincross, attended worship as he was on his way to Oklahoma to visit relatives. "Dub" served as pastor in our state-- his last place of service was Second Baptist Church, Liberty, MO.  Dub grew up in out area and his fatheer was a banker and both parents were involved in the life of what was then the Nevada Baptist Association (now Osage River Baptist Association).
     Don Gundy does not have angelic wings either, but I did shake his hand last Sunday after worship.  He was just passing through. Don is from Vernon County and served as a pastor in several places in the state before heading up church-staff relationships in the Missouri Baptist Convention until the political winds were no longer in his favor.  He and his wife are great folks and it is always good to see them.
     Don grew up in the Walker area and his brother, Doug, was a former, local basketball star.  Their mother, Nell Gundy, was a member of our church family and I led in her memorial sesrvice in 2000.  Don's wife's grandmother, Emma Trower, was a member of our church.
     It was good to see old friends.  Don even pronounced a blessing.  Under questions and comments on the communication card he wrote:  "Impressive early service.  Keep up the good work!"  Thanks, Don.  We are doing our best!