It looks like anti-gay Christian leaders are using identical talking points as they instantly responded to the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision legalizing same-sex marriage throughout all fifty states. The warning being parroted across the land is, “Prepare for the coming persecution!”
Persecution
Chief Justice Roy Moore, Alabama Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court just made it easier for Christians to be persecuted, the chief justice of Alabama’s Supreme Court said Sunday.
Franklin Graham: Persecution is Coming!
Immediately after the announcement of the Court’s decision, Graham said, “You better be ready and you better be prepared because it’s coming,”
“There will be persecution of Christians for our stand.”
“I’m disappointed because the government is recognizing sin,” he said. “This court is endorsing sin. That’s what homosexuality is – a sin against god.”
Rick Santorum: Supreme Court Decision could lead to Persecution of Christians!
Paul’s Warning not to Meddle in the Lives of Non-Christians
The Bible warns the church not to meddle in the personal lives of people outside the church. The Apostle Paul tells us it is none of our business, judging those outside the church. Here is I Corinthians 5:12 in several translations:
∙ “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?” (NIV)
∙ “For what have I to do with judging outsiders?” (NASB)
∙ “It is not for me to judge those outside the church.” (NLV) (Note)
Don’t Suffer because You’ve been Meddling in Other People’s Lives
If anti-gay fundamentalists suffer persecution, it is because they have set themselves up as targets. If homophobic Christians suffer persecution, it is because they have interfered in other people’s lives. If they feel they were called by God to pry into other people’s affairs, to meddle in other people’s matters, and to poke their noses into other people’s business, then they should have the courage to live with the results of their convictions.
If lawless government employees break the law, then they need to live with the results of their actions. Frankly, I don’t see any serious persecution in the future. But they can provoke persecution if they really want to. It is, as they say, a free country. But you do need to live with the results of your actions and quit your whining.
The Apostle Peter commands us to not suffer because we have interfered in other people’s lives. Check I Peter 4:15.
∙ “Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters.” (ASV)
∙ “If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.” (NLT)
∙ “Suppose you suffer. Then it shouldn’t be because you . . . poke your nose into other people’s business.” (NIRV)
∙ “None of you should suffer as one who . . . tries to be the boss of other peoples’ lives.” (NLV)
The gospel of Christ suffers because some outspoken leaders in the church meddles in other men’s matters, pokes its nose into other people’s business, tries to be the boss of other people’s lives. It’s how we get a bad reputation.
The church, and individual Christians, will suffer because they disobey the word of God. This disobedience includes interfering in the lives of non-believers, trying to be the coercive boss of their lives, and interfering in the personal lives of people outside the church.
IF you suffer persecution, it’s your own fault. The apostles Peter and Paul both warned you.
I Corinthians 5:12
I Peter 4:15
(Note) I have cited several different translations so people can see the agreement among various translations.
Bible-Thumping Liberal 
Where’s the grace?
LikeLike
We are all sources of grace. God is the ultimate source of grace, Noel.
Compared to the warnings and alarm being spread abroad by some unwise evangelical and fundamentalist leaders about the end of the United States as a result of the Supreme Court decision — I think my reminder is pretty gracious.
People need to evaluate the rhetoric of their own leaders.
LikeLike
Thank you, Ron. Good thoughts!
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Kate. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Having fundamentalist friends who are constantly judging unbelievers, I was just thinking the other day that while the Apostles clearly do point out sinfulness, it is ONLY to the Church. Your article does a wonderful job of verbalizing what I have been thinking. Thank you.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Jodi. There are very few new thoughts, and fortunately the Bible is an excellent resource for persuasive wisdom. Sadly, many people will remain unaccountable to their own authority.
LikeLike
Great post! You have unearthed some great wisdom from scripture that I seldom see quoted. Years ago I came up with a line for fundamentalist who seem to think they are “persecuted for righteousness sake.” My comment is “You are not being persecuted because you’re righteous — you are being persecuted because you’re obnoxious.”
LikeLike
Yes, Charles, a lot of wisdom goes unnoticed. We seem to prefer combative, issues-oriented passages. Feel free to share the link, of course!
LikeLike
Frankie Graham has ALWAYS had an inflated sense (put politely) of his own importance in the lives of those of us who admired his father. As to Joy Roy Moore, well, he THINKS his last name should mean “More”, like the name “Bean” used to. Sure, he’s ferocious. Honest he is. Finally, addressing the concerns of little Icky Sanctimonious, let me share something relevant here, Pastor. I am from IOWA. And considering that last election, one of Icky’s campaign workers was found in a Des Moines backyard peeping in windows, I think he’s got LOTS of room to talk…
Don’t like what I said? Well, these guys are busily engaged in judging others. Guess what they just got, in their turns?
LikeLike
Hello Ron. I love your web site and use your material to stop anti-gay hysteria at times. I was wondering that Paul who in Romans:1 said Homosexuality was “unnatural” wasn’t worried about love between two men or two women. but do you think he was worried that how can two men or women reproduce if they have sex with each other as even now. unless you use science two men and two women can’t ‘naturally” reproduce. I think we look in this era at the word “unnatural” and think Paul was disgusted with the act of gay sex (he was against any non-marital sex) but do you think he was worried how two people of the same sex will reproduce?
We take for granted after the baby boom that its easier to have a sustain large populations or its easier for kids to survive and live in easier environments than back then. but back then people lived hard lives and tribes had a hard time surviving against war or disease which could wipe everyone out and reproducing was more important back than now. I think the idea of gay sex was just for an impulse moment of sex or if there was no one else to have sex with you, like prison, be forced to have sex with another person of your gender.
I really think back than the idea of two gay people falling in love was of course never mentioned, but wasn’t thought of as marriage were it was more important back than to reproduce as it was the cornerstone of every marriage. I don’t even think Paul even thought of gay marriage as it was not even thought of back than. I think the church need to update things that is being either taken out of contexts or was seen as bad back then but not anymore in the Bible as we know you are born gay.
#LOVEWINS
LikeLike
Hi Adrian. Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you sometimes find my material useful.
There are others who have explored Paul’s use of “unnatural” more than I have. What I do know is that Paul had difficulties when it came to sexuality, women in the church, etc. Today many Christians have explained how we can understand Paul without taking him entirely literally.
Today many Christian groups accept and ordain women easily. The day will come when many Christian groups will accept and ordain gays and lesbians just as easily. What we do until then depends on our individual callings.
Thanks for stopping by, Adrian.
LikeLike
Hhmmm…I get the concept “don’t get involved with civilian matters”, (outside the church). But, to ordain gays who choose to not repent WITHIN the church is another matter. Repentance is for all…playboy’s to gays, drunks to drug addicts…ALL come to Christ for internal changes to become “like their Father in Heaven”.
I’m Buddhist and even I know that. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment, Gary.
I would simply remark that I wasn’t discussing the fact that a decreasing number of Christian denominations still refuse to ordain gay and lesbian Christians. I have never disputed the right of organizations to judge who is unfit to allow into leadership.
Jesus’ disciples wanted authority to forbid some people from ministering in Jesus’ name because these others were not among their immediate circle of followers.
Jesus said no way, leave them alone.
By the way, which koan encourages us to boast about our superior knowledge?
LikeLike