Connect with us

Pastor's Corner with Dr. Melvin O. Marriner

Pastor’s Corner: Major Historic Happenings In June 2015

By Elder Gerald DeForest Tyler

Wow! Wow! Wow! What a month June was and didn’t it go out with a big-bang indeed! When one considers the United States Supreme Court’s (hereafter just the Court) landmark rulings; the “Mother” Emanuel 9 human massacre in Charleston, SC; Reverend Clementa Pinckney’s eulogy by the most powerful man in the known world today; and all the Democratic and Republican politicians, clergy, men and women of multiple and diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds who came together in unity for Senator Pinckney’s homegoing service – I would certainly say that June 2015 will become one of the most memorable months in our United States history. There were numerous “Major Historic Happenings In June 2015” which will no doubt have a tremendous impact on the lives of American citizens for many generations yet to come, perhaps even for centuries if God tarries that long.

Let me begin this three-part column by mentioning the two historically significant “landmark decisions” rendered by The Supreme Court of the land with all nine justices casting votes.  They upheld and supported the Affordable Care Act, perhaps better known as Obamacare for the second time in three years making it the national healthcare law of the land with subsidies on June 25 via a 6-3 vote. Then on the very next day, June 26, the Court ruled on same-sex marriages making it also the law of the land in all 50 states across the nation via a 5-4 vote. Ironically, this happened in June which was LGBT (i.e., lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender) Pride Celebration Month. Among the nine justices, all three women voted in favor of the same-sex marriage law.

While watching the historic news in the making on the Cable News Network (CNN), I couldn’t help but notice a sign in the shape of a shield being carried by an obvious supporter of gay rights, which read as follows: “The United States Constitution is our ‘shield’ against Bible based discrimination toward our gay friends and neighbors.” In reality, the truth of this whole matter is that the Court’s decision went against the U.S. Constitution and the principles upon which this country was founded in the first place – and upon which a godly-marriage was established. Equality and equal rights for all Americans is one thing indeed, but making clearly a “God-declared sin” legally acceptable in our nation is yet another thing altogether! And it’s an awful thing that The Supreme Court of the land has done and God will hold the guilty justices accountable for their actions if they don’t repent.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). 

Once again, we “say” that we’re a country of people who are one nation under God – and that it is God in whom we trust. But I ask you, are we one? I ask you, do we really and truly trust in God? While at the same time we go about practicing disobedience to his righteous will and holy commandments as we live in sin. Well, guess what? We certainly cannot have it both ways folks. 

That is, we can’t practice sinful disobedience while trusting in and being pleasing and acceptable unto a Holy God at the same time. It just doesn’t work like that – period! The Holy Bible, God’s infallible and inerrant word makes it perfectly clear that we cannot serve and obey God and mammon. 

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Saint Matthew 6:24). Listen to this slight paraphrase of scripture if you will. You (we) cannot serve God, other gods, man, money, nor ungodly Supreme Court laws such as “same-sex marriages and human abortions” at the same time. We just can’t do it. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve: but as for me and my house – we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). See you right back here next week for Part II. “Grace and mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied!”

Gerald D. Tyler, an ordained elder with senior pastoral experience, has been a God-called practicing minister since 1977 teaching and preaching the salvation gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Sale Ending Soon! Dismiss

Exit mobile version
Hide picture