June 27, 2015
My dear Christian sisters and brothers,
"May
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so
that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"
(Romans 15:13).
What
many anticipated is now the law of the land. The landmark majority
decision by the Supreme Court legalized marriage for same-sex couples
across all fifty states. The 5-4 vote among the justices reflects the
divided views of the citizens of the United States and even those who
come to our LCMS congregations.
While
we begin to feel the tremors of the decision and the aftershocks still
to come, this is a result of a nation that has stepped away from it's
Judeo-Christian foundations built directly on the bedrock of God's Word.
For many decades our nation has been identified as the third largest
mission field in the world. That moniker was awarded as our population
made choices to distance itself from God's Word. Decisions made in such a
spiritual vacuum, without the benefit of the Word of God, naturally
take the people further from God's intended design and loving will.
The
decision of the Supreme Court makes the ministry of your congregation
even more significant. No matter what the law of the land, God's Word
accomplishes what He wills. Through the power of the Holy Spirit:
- Our Father's loving plan for all His children is revealed in Holy Scriptures
- We learn of His great sacrifice in giving His Son for each of us
- Our hearts are shaped to look more like Jesus through Word and Sacrament
- We learn to love our neighbors with the Lord's great love
Through
this means, the lives of people, their marriages and families are
shaped according to God's wisdom and His loving design.
My
friends, while the Supreme Court's decision is now one day old, there
will be many reactions for years to come. Future SED gatherings will
give opportunity for theological discussion and practical tools for
providing pastoral care and response. While shaping immediate response, I
pray each of us will be known in the community as followers of Jesus
who remain faithful to God's Word and active in demonstrating His love,
even with those who disagree with us. It is important to remember many
of the families in our congregations are directly impacted by this
decision. Our initial responses written on social media and voiced out
loud may either open or close the door for ministry in the future to
people around us.
Please reflect on Paul's words, with which this letter began.
"May
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so
that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"
(Romans 15:13).
Paul
wrote these words to a Christian congregation in an empire that was
antagonistic to Jesus, and His Word. Nonetheless, Paul encouraged them
to be filled with God-sent hope. Our trust is in God. With full-hearted
faith pray for our nation, our leaders, husbands and wives, sons and
daughters, and the institution of marriage and family. Be assured the
Lord of the Church will use even this situation to advance His Kingdom
into the hearts of His precious children. The darker it gets, the
brighter His Light shines. Our hope founded in God, leads to an
infectious joy and a deep-hearted peace. In every response may we be
known as the people who are overflowing with faith, hope, and love
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the royal service of the King,
John R. Denninger, President
Southeastern District, LCMS
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