A couple of very discouraging events have occurred the last few days. On June 17 there was the tragic, senseless killing of nine church members who were attending a Bible study in Charleston South Carolina. That event would be horrific in any circumstance but it was especially heart-breaking in that it was motivated by racial hatred. Dylann Roof, the twenty-one year old gunman, admitted he was there “to shoot black people.”

How sad! The Bible says when one member of the body suffers we all suffer with it. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims in their grief. As a church leader I also ache for the staff and ministers of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. To our brothers and sisters in South Carolina – our prayers are with you. We weep with you. I agree with the President of the NAACP who said, “There is no greater coward than a criminal who enters a house of God and slaughters innocent people.”

It’s so disappointing to witness the flames of racial animosity being fanned since our nation was making good progress in race relations in the past few decades. The impression is now left in some circles that the majority of Americans are rankly racist, and I don’t believe that’s true. I find myself wanting to say to every African American stranger I pass, “Please understand, Dylann Roof doesn’t represent me. I’m not full of racial hatred. Let’s find ways to stand together.”

Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). Millions of Americans, both black and white, sincerely want to obey that command. However, we need to admit that our country has serious racial issues that are now escalating…and that’s discouraging.

The second event that’s demoralizing to evangelical Christians was the Supreme Court’s approval of same-sex marriage this past Friday. While that decision came as no surprise, I find it discouraging for three reasons.

(1) The endorsement of same-sex marriage dramatically underscores the moral freefall that has been taking place in our country. Behavior that is labeled “detestable” in the Bible and was deemed illegal just a few decades ago is now hailed as loving and healthy. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…” (Isa. 5:20).

(2) The hubristic decision by the Supreme Court to override the votes of the people in thirty-one states demonstrates that the constitutional republic that was established in 1789 is no longer functioning as intended. Judge Antonin Scalia wrote in his dissenting opinion: “A system of government that makes the people subordinate to a committee of nine unelected lawyers does not deserve to be called a democracy.”

I used to urge frustrated citizens to contact their representatives in congress and voice their concerns. No more. That’s futile. Our system is not working. Judge Clarence Thomas wrote following Friday’s decision: “…the majority opinion is at odds not only with the Constitution, but with the principles upon which our nation were built.”

(3) The court’s endorsement of same sex marriage will pave the way to future persecution of those who don’t approve it. Judge Clarence Thomas also wrote, “In our society, marriage is not simply a governmental institution; it is a religious institution as well. Today’s decision might change the former, but it cannot change the latter. It appears all but inevitable that the two will come into conflict, particularly as individuals and churches are confronted with demands to participate in and endorse civil marriages between same-sex couples.”

Only a simpleton would be naïve enough to believe the battle is over. Soon to follow will be an all-out assault on Christians who refuse to violate their Biblical convictions. Christian Colleges that refuse to add gay staff members will become ineligible for government student loans. Small businesses that don’t participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies will be fined and owners required to attend sensitivity classes. Churches that refuse to allow gay marriages in their building will be stripped of tax exemptions and benefits. Ministers who dare speak out against homosexual behavior will be charged with hate speech and fined…perhaps even imprisoned.

Judge Samuel Alito wrote in his dissenting opinion, “By imposing its own views on the entire country, the majority facilitates the marginalization of the many Americans who have traditional ideas.”

But, DON’T LOSE HEART!

There are two reasons not to give way to despair.

The first is that our omnipotent God can work miracles. The Israelites lost heart at the Red Sea because they forgot God had the power to part the Red Sea. The Disciples lost heart at the cross because they forgot that God had the power to raise the dead. God can quickly reverse the moral freefall in this nation if His people turn to Him in repentance. With God all things are possible.

The second reason not to lose heart is that God is the ultimate Judge.

Let’s remember that there is only one Judge who really matters and His ultimate decision has yet to be rendered. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).

Former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee stated, “The Supreme Court is not the Supreme Being.” Below are some quotes from God’s Word that provide some advance clues as to His final decision and give us reason not to lose heart.

“Haven’t you read, that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, ‘for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:4-6).

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

“God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion” (Romans 1:26-27).

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Gal. 6:7-8).

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” (Rev. 2:10)

So, until the day of the Lord comes, don’t lose heart. Stay faithful. Keep loving all God’s people and keep standing for all of God’s truth. The most loving thing a motorist can do when he sees someone driving up an exit ramp the wrong way is to blow the horn. To remain silent so as not to offend is lacking perception and compassion. That’s why preachers are commanded to “…rebuke and encourage” (2 Tim. 4:2) – both are essential; both are loving.

Hebrews 12:1-3 encourages us, “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

I like the way THE MESSAGE paraphrases this section: “When you find yourselves flagging [waving the white flag of surrender] in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He (Jesus) plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”

And remember Jesus words, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).