LBGTQ+, the Equality Act, and Our Christian Response

Before the United States congress is the Equality Act. When the bill which supports LGBTQ rights first came to congress, Speaker Nancy Pelosi in promotion of the bill said, “this is not about tolerance…tolerance is” an offensive word. The reality is when it comes to LGBTQ lifestyles all must conform, and all must celebrate sexual choices and sexual identities.

There is not much to be done politically about the bill. I will voice my disapproval to Senator Amy Klobuchar (DFL – MN) and to Senator Tina Smith (DFL – MN), but my voice will not count for much. My senators will vote with their fellow democrats in the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass the legislation. When passed by the Senate, President Biden is certain to sign the bill into law. I wrote previously, and I say again without apology, Wednesday, January 20, 2021, the day Mr. Biden became the 46th president of these United States, is a date, I fear, which will live in infamy.

For whatever its intentions and its contents, the Equality Act likely will progress like Title IX before it. Future politicians and lawyers will use the Equality Act to push agendas not considered in the present legislation. This is how laws work in the United States. It is easier to make an old law say something it didn’t than to get a new law passed.

Supporters cannot wait to implement the Equality Act in local schools. Elinor Aspegren writes in USA Today, “The Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, is moving to the Senate after being passed by the House of Representatives – and it could affect what's taught in classrooms.”

Quoting, Sophia Arredondo, director of Education and Youth Programs at the LGBTQ+ education advocacy group GLSEN, Ms. Aspegren writes, “It signals to educators who are not part of our community that they, too, can hopefully implement language, representation and curriculum that is LGBTQ inclusive.”

A recent Gallup poll concluded LGBTQ identification has been increasing over time. Younger generations are far more likely to consider themselves to be something other than heterosexual, including 16% of Gen Z adults, 18 to 23-year-olds born between 1997-2002. The pollsters write, “With younger generations far more likely than older generations to consider themselves LGBT, that growth should continue.”

Does that concern you? I think it should, especially if you have children in any educational institution elementary school to college that does not openly embrace a biblical worldview. What is the biblical worldview on gender identity and sexuality? Against the growing consensus in Western Culture, God’s Word condemns all expressions of sexuality outside of covenanted marriage between one man and one woman, upholds the beauty of two genders, and offers God’s grace to escape God’s coming wrath for those who rebel against God in sexuality and gender.

This is a musing and not a treatise, so here some thoughts as you consider how you will respond to the growing push to embrace LGBTQ ideology in our schools, at your workplace, in your family, and in our community.

Know the Scriptures. God’s revelation is the greatest resource we possess to combat any rebellious worldview. In the approaching days, Christians do well to know the content and meaning of Genesis 1-3; Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, and Matthew 19. The Scriptures will guard your mind against the lies of Satan and will equip you with tools to support those close to you.

Celebrate what God celebrates and condemn what God condemns. God celebrates masculinity and God celebrates femininity. God celebrates one man and one woman marriage. God celebrates the intimacy and oneness in his design for marriage. Work to make your marriage the beauty that God designed. Protect your marriage from little foxes that would destroy it and give cause for condemnation, “How can you criticize whom I choose to love when your so called ‘God approves’ love is a mess?”

Answer your children’s questions. I was in middle school when I asked him. My dad came home from a long day at work and sat down on the couch, looking for a moment of relaxation. Earlier in the day at my Christian school, I heard a word I didn’t know. Some of the guys were talking about it. I acted like I knew its meaning, but I was clueless. When my dad got home, I assaulted the poor man without any warning, “Dad, what is @L$%*!?” He nearly died. When he collected himself, he gave me a three-word-answer. By his brevity and tone and his immediate departure to another room in the house, I learned that conversations about sex, my body, and girls were off limits. I never again asked him any question on those subjects. In his defense, he didn’t see the uppercut coming, and I am sure his dad never had a similar conversation with him. God has uniquely positioned you to be the parent of your children. Part of your task is to answer their questions about the world in which we live, both its beauty and its ugliness. You do well to answer them and not send them to Instagram or TikTok for answers.

Love sinners to Jesus. Luke 7:36-39 records a social event where a woman of the city whose sexual exploits were known to all interacted with Jesus. A group of Pharisees also attended the dinner. When they saw Jesus and the women interacting, they said, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

The Pharisee’s response tells us all and has become the MO for many Christians. Over and again, we see Jesus move toward the sexually sinful, like the woman in Luke 7 and like the woman at the well in John 4. It is the response of the Pharisee that says, “Keep your distance.”

Instead of keeping distance, love sinners toward Jesus. Would you welcome at your table a person who is biologically male but identifies as female for the purpose of talking to them about Jesus? Would you choose to befriend a coworker whose LGBTQ lifestyle makes you uncomfortable for the purpose of talking to them about Jesus? I suspect the church will need to be prepared in the next decade or two to aid those who received surgical treatments or years of hormonal treatment for the purpose of gender change. Will we help them? Would you repent of any sinful language you use about LGBTQ people? Would you repent of any acceptance of LGBTQ lifestyle because your acceptance does not move sinners toward Jesus? Would you show sympathy and compassion to someone in our church struggling with same sex attraction, with gender identity, or any other sinfully sexual expression? Will you move toward sinners with the hope of the gospel and the love of Jesus?

Here we are. God created us to live in the days in which we live. None of us fought in World War I. None of us experienced the Black Plague. None of us were exiled to Babylon. We live here and now in this time. Like the faithful brothers and sisters before us, we will rely on God’s Word delivered to us by God’s Spirit to live as faithful followers of God’s Son.

May we know God’s grace. >

As always, I welcome your comments and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.

To read past Lunchtime Musings, follow me at medium.com/@mikeverway

Mike VerWay
Pastor for Preaching & Vision

What They Need Is Your Prayers

Earlier today outside a circuit court hearing, a mother wept as the judge handed down the 10-year sentence to her son. The young man told his mom he didn’t want her in the chamber when the deputies escorted him from the courtroom. The Christian sister has a broken heart.

As they advance past middle age, life is not unfolding as they planned. There will be no early retirement traveling to warmer climates, helping to carpool the grandchildren, or sharing in a mid-week Bible study. This Christian brother and sister are weary from the race, yet so much of the race remains.

He keeps it all inside. At 16 he has no true friends. His parents push and push to meet expectations he cannot attain, and his guilty conscience finds escape on his smart phone. The young Christian hears his youth pastor talk about how a kid can be happy in Jesus, but he’s not happy…ever.

In the pulpit he boldly proclaims the gospel of Jesus and preaches the whole counsel of God. Out of the pulpit, he questions his call and wonders if the people might be served better by a different shepherd. As their pastor, he shares in their troubles, pleads with them to choose a different path, and deliberates in meditation how to lead the Lord’s church – a task he knows he cannot fulfill.

You know these people. They are your family and friends or they occupy your row in the church auditorium. They may greet you with a smile or a scowl, and they need you to help them. They don’t need your pity, and they don’t want your pithy saying. What they need is your prayers.

In His Word, God says your prayers on the behalf of others produce divine results, Pray for one another …the urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect (James 5:16 HCSB).

Nowhere in the Bible do we find a more powerful activity of a Christian than the power delivered from God in response to a believer’s intercessory prayer.

Prayer is the singular spiritual discipline that would strengthen our church more than any other. When you ask, “What can I do for my church?” Certainly, you can give in the support of the ministry, and you can serve by exercising your spiritual gifts; however, the most significant contribution you can make to your church is to pray.

John Wesley preached, God does nothing except in response to believing prayer, and Andrew Murray wrote, We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth.

When the church gathers on Sundays or in small groups, we discover in conversations burdens the people carry. These saints need our prayers. As we walk around the building and look around the meeting room, we notice those not present for today’s worship. Any believer absent from the gathering for worship for any reason needs intercessory prayer. Sick children, work, fatigue, sadness of heart, coldness of heart, travels, and everything else should prompt us to think, “I wonder where they are today? I better pray.” It may be that Sunday afternoons could be your most fervent time for intercessory prayer as you remember those you saw and those you did not see.

Intercessory prayer is so much more than the activity of religious people. Intercessory prayer is the spiritual work of those who follow Jesus. Like our Lord in John 17, they pray to the Father for His nurturing in the lives of fellow disciples. Like the early church, powerful churches consist of praying disciples.

Peter’s dramatic release from prison began as constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church (Acts 12:5).

Christian author E.M. Bounds may convey truth about prayer better than any author outside of Scripture, Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still.

Pray, Christian, pray. The most powerful instrument we possess travels from your heart to your lips to God’s ears.

As always, I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.

To read past Lunchtime Musings, follow me at medium.com/@mikeverway

Mike VerWay
Pastor for Preaching & Vision

To Scroll, Skim, Stay Awhile or Swipe Left, That Is the Question

Yesterday, the world watched high-definition video of a spacecraft landing on the surface of Mars after a nearly seven-month flight from earth to the Red Planet. Many watched on their smartphones. The technology that makes space flight possible fascinates. The technology that makes it possible for me to watch on my phone is wonderful…and dangerous.

You are able to read this because you have access to the Internet which delivers to you information in the form of email and a wide range of digital formats. Because you have email and online capability, you have more access to more information than the rest of humanity combined prior to the Internet. The information may or may not be true, may or may not be helpful, may be attention grabbing and useful or it may be captivating and a waste of time.

Some remember when the go to source on any given subject was the World Book Encyclopedia. Today’s school age children do not even know what an encyclopedia is. What they know is Google, Wikipedia, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and when they feel nostalgic, Facebook. So much knowledge, information, and wisdom floats in the digital ozone and is instantaneously available at our fingertips. Simply, it is mind-boggling to consider the information available to us at our fingertips.

That expanse of information continues to all things Christian. Sadly, not all things labeled Christian that appear on the Internet are actually Christian. I haven’t done the research, but it would not surprise me to discover that only a fraction of what is available under the label Christian is consistent with orthodox Christianity, historical interpretation, and accurate application. Which brings me again to Peter’s words -

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction (2 Peter 2:1).

False teachers are not a minor concern, an irritating nuisance, or a circus sideshow. They will destroy a local church, devour its members, and defame Jesus Christ. False teachers are the greatest threat to the church of Jesus Christ.

When you choose to listen to someone’s sermons, listen with a discerning ear and discriminating mind. When you choose to read the latest Christian book currently residing near the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list, read it with your Bible close at hand. When you follow a friend’s Facebook share that takes you to someone’s blog or Lunchtime Musing, read critically. Ask often, “Is this what God says in His Word?” Raise the question, “Did the apostles of Jesus Christ teach this idea to the early church?” When the author or preacher suggests something novel or new, ask how the disciples since the first century survived all these many years without that idea.

As believing people who think the best of others (1 Cor. 13:5), we tend to receive what others deliver in the name of Jesus. The bent to believe is wonderful when the content is consistent with God’s Word. The bent to believe without scrutiny is dangerous when the content is inconsistent with God’s Word.

Today, false teachers declare that Christian people who have enough faith will be healthy. If you are not healthy, you do not have enough faith. Other false teachers declare that Christian people will be financially secure, independent, even wealthy when Christian people give God what belongs to Him in the form of a seed gift to the false teacher’s ministry. If you are not financially secure, independent, or wealthy, you need to take the step of faith and give your money away (ideally to them), only then can God grow your money beyond what you already have. Still other false teachers denounce the Lordship of Christ over every area of a believer’s life. They reason that so many matters (think LGBTQ+, abortion, critical race theory, the limits of government, etc.) in the culture are neutral, and Christ has no opinion on them. They conclude a Christian is free to do as he wishes where Jesus has not specifically addressed the matter in 21st century terminology. The list of false teachings goes on and on. The proliferation of opportunities to hear false teachers brings their potential for damage to a whole new level.

I am committed to safeguarding “the way of righteousness” and conveying only and completely “the holy commandment delivered” to us (2 Peter 2:22).

I trust you are committed to receiving only what is consistent with the teaching of Jesus and his apostles and to obeying everything taught by Jesus and his apostles.

As always, I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.

To read past Lunchtime Musings, follow me at medium.com/@mikeverway

Mike VerWay
Pastor for Preaching & Vision

It Wasn't Better Back In The Day

It’s time for a pop quiz. There is only one question, and it is multiple choice. You at least have a chance at getting it right.

Q: Fill in the blank: Near the end of the president’s term, editors of a major newspaper in the nation’s capitol wrote, “If ever a nation has suffered from the improper influence of a man, the American nation has suffered from the influence of _____________.”

A: Bill Clinton
B: Andrew Jackson
C: Donald Trump
D: George Washington

The column appeared in the Philadelphia Aurora in 1796 in the waning days of George Washington’s presidency. The celebrated Father of Our Country, the singular force behind the victory over King George and the greatest fighting force in the world, and the man whom many wanted as king more than president was assaulted in the press on administration policies and to his horror, personal character.

No president escapes media gaze, and every president and his followers complain about the coverage he receives. Solomon accurately concludes, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Every generation concludes there has never been a time like this. The world has never been this messed up. The government has never been this corrupt. The morals have never been this loose. Children have never been this rebellious. It’s like we’ve forgotten about the flood, the rules of Ahab and Herod, the filth in Corinth, and the defiance of Absalom. Maybe the good ‘ol days were not that good after all.

One consequence of thinking the present time is unlike any other is the mistake the Bible is a relic with no value in a modern world. The writings of Moses and Paul along with the teachings of Jesus cannot have the nuance to navigate the sophistication of the modern mind. The Bible was good for nomads and sheepherders but not for the educated and enlightened.

Ancient vulgarity has nothing on modern arrogance.

We are Christians trying to navigate our world as faithful followers of our Lord. Like all before us, we live this life in a broken world populated by fallen people. The failures of our leaders, the agenda of the powerful, the gullibility of the masses, the lies promoted and believed, and the faithlessness of the church prompt in us a longing for something different, something better. The different and better is in the presence of Jesus. The present morass of deceit and disease can prime us for the future harmony of beauty and blessing.

They were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:16).

With every new news cycle and observation of cultural decline, we have the opportunity to set aside the appeal of the now and develop our appetite for what awaits us with Christ in heaven. When we are frustrated by loss of freedom, we wonder at the freedom we’ve yet to experience that awaits us when we are with the Lord.

Live faithful, Christian, and keep your eyes on heaven.

As always, I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.

To read past Lunchtime Musings, follow me at medium.com/@mikeverway

Mike VerWay
Pastor for Preaching & Vision

Everything and Everyone Is Against Me, Even God

I remember my girls singing,

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me
I think I'll go eat worms!
Big fat juicy ones, Eensie weensy squeensy ones,
See how they wiggle and squirm!

If the ditty is stuck in your head the rest of the day, my sincere apologies.

Some Christians think God doesn’t like them. These, saved by the indescribable gift of God’s son, look at their difficult and wrenching life circumstances and conclude, “God doesn’t like me. God doesn’t care about me. Maybe, God hates me.”

For the child of God, few texts surpass the greatness of Romans 8. From its opening line that affirms God’s approval of the justified to its climax of God’s love in Christ for his own, Romans 8 has ministered to countless of the faithful over the centuries.

Most of us are familiar with 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Sadly, the text has been both misused and neglected.

Misused by those who offer the text to the hurting as an explanation for why bad things are happening to them. 8:28 is not first an explanation of why bad things happen to us but a reason to endure hardship that is the reality of living under the curse as we await the completion of our redemption (8:18-25).

Neglected by those who see the text as little more than a crutch to the hurting, offering no substantive aid to the downcast. “Remember, Romans 8:28!” seems like a cavalier way to comfort the wounded and broken, forgetting this quoted line is God’s message to the shattered spirit intended to bring comfort and aid.

Soon after 8:28 is another solace for the Christian. Paul writes, “Since God is for us, who can be against us?” He affirms a fact: God is for his own. God was for Paul, and God was for the Christians at Rome, and God is for us; God is for you!

To be sure God is not for everyone. He is aggressively opposed to the wicked (Psalm 34:16) and reveals his wrath against the godless (Romans 1:18). But that’s not you! You have “received the Spirit of adoption” and you cry out, “Abba, Father.” Your Heavenly Father is not against you. Your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you and does not hate you. God is for you! He offers to you evidence that he is for you, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (8:32).

• God is for the childless couple. You want to have a family and for whatever reasons it isn’t happening. It’s hard knowing your friend is pregnant and seeing their joy holding a baby. In your emptiness, God is for you.

• God is for the grieving spouse. About half of us will bury a spouse. Once two become one, death rips apart the union. What’s left is a gaping wound. In your pain, God is for you.

• God is for the dejected parent. Rebellious children break parents’ hearts. You’ve tried everything, and nothing changes for the better. In reality the relationships are deteriorating daily. You are ashamed to say it, but you’re looking forward to the day he heads off to college or the navy. In your continual frustration, God is for you.

• God is for the mistreated child. You can’t do anything right. Your dad is always angry. Your mom criticizes and nags. Neither of them listen to you when you try to explain. They just yell, ridicule, or punish. You’d rather be at grandma’s house or a friend’s than be at home. In your confusion about what family life should be, God is for you.

• God is for the recently furloughed. A stimulus check, ha! What’s that going to do for you. What you need is a job that pays well, has good insurance, and comes with some security that you won’t be let go if the economy turns bad. In your anxiety, God is for you.

• God is for the injured and diseased. Thumbing the pages of the photo album, you hardly recognize the face you see. The stroke or cancer or fall or heart attack or the cumulative years have left you a shell of your former self. It hurts to move. It hurts not to move. “What’s the point of living like this?” you wonder. In your weakened state, God is for you.

• God is for the weary and burdened. Sleep is a gift, but not one that lasts long. There’s not enough of you to go around. Everyone needs you…now! There’s nowhere to hide and no relief in sight. In your fatigue, God is for you.

• God is for the discouraged pastor. You prepare sermons to feed the flock. They don’t seem interested in eating. You love only to be betrayed. You know you make mistakes but why can’t they be gracious when you do? Nobody calls you when you’re in need, but if you don’t call when they are in need, look out. In your dismay, brother-Pastor, God is for you.

• God is for the single parent. This isn’t what you thought life would be, but here you are. It doesn’t matter how you got here. This is life now. You and the kid. It’s hard not having someone to lean on as a parent, someone who gets up in the night so you can get some sleep, someone to discipline so you aren’t the meanie every single day. In your not ideal situation, God is for you.

• God is for the perpetual bridesmaid. “Sure, I’d love to be in your wedding.” You are genuinely happy for her. He’s a good guy, and she’s the latest of your squad walking the aisle. You’ve shared in the day with five friends in the last two years, but that’s not looking like a possibility for you. In your loneliness, God is for you.

• God is for the dreamer with dashed dreams. It seemed like a great idea on paper. You carefully considered the pros and cons. You made the plans, asked for advice, took the risk, and worked hard to see it come true. But it didn’t, not even close. You flopped, miserably. The years and effort seem wasted. It’s really hard to dream again about what could be. In your failure, God is for you.

Here's a better tune and text for Christians to sing.

O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame, From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same.

Thy Word commands our flesh to dust, “Return, ye sons of men”: All nations rose from earth at first, And turn to earth again.

A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun.

The busy tribes of flesh and blood, With all their lives and cares, Are carried downwards by the flood, And lost in foll’wing years.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the op’ning day.

Like flow’ry fields the nations stand Pleased with the morning light; The flow’rs beneath the mower’s hand Lie with’ring ere ’tis night.

O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while troubles last, And our eternal home.

Isaac Watts, 1719

As always, I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.

To read past Lunchtime Musings, follow me at medium.com/@mikeverway

Mike VerWay
Pastor for Preaching & Vision