Our beloved nation has seen its fair share of strife, division, and controversy as our ever-changing society morphs and changes, riding the waves of human emotions and triggering hearts to react out of impulse or haste. The Gospel Coalition addresses these ebbs and flows by taking a look back on how we got here, stating that it all began with the creation of man and how God sees His people. The issues on slavery and same-sex marriage are put under the lens of the Old Testament and New Testament, tying it all together by stating, “Scripture’s trajectory isn’t toward abolishing slavery and affirming same-sex marriage. It’s a boomerang trajectory that brings us back to the beginning when humanity lived in an unhindered love relationship with God and with each other—but makes it so much better.”

Our culture is at a crucial tipping point, and many issues at hand seem to be causing a great divide, even among believers, leaving many of us to question, “How do we respond?” The answer is two-fold, yet holds one central theme, and that is love. We are commanded to love the Lord God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our strength (Matthew 22:37) and then we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 12:30-31). That said, after a tense election and lots of heated emotions, let us discover what God has to say about a few of these current controversial issues and how we are called to respond with dignity, grace, and love.

Slavery and Human-Trafficking
Unfortunately, our world has been deeply impacted by the detriments of slavery. Currently, our children are the prime targets of human trafficking and have seen a devastating increase since 2017. “According to the Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC), a global data hub for human trafficking, over 90% of victims are more likely to be trafficked either for sexual exploitation or forced labor.” (Justice and Mercy International).

That said, slavery or human trafficking is not just specific to today’s culture or confined to a certain time in history, as the narrative began in the Old Testament. One poignant turning point was when Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:26-27). While there are countless other stories of slavery weaved throughout the Bible, this act is always brought on by the wickedness of man.

The truth is that God equally loves all people, and He does not condone this sinful behavior. However, because we live in a fallen world, we can become entrapped in our own sins or the sinful nature of others, just as the Israelites did. Yet, through the justice and mercy of our God, we can also be set free (Deuteronomy 5:15). So, our first stance should be to pray for those that are held captive under the bondage of slavery today. Then, seek discernment on how and where we can offer support, sponsor, or give to impact God’s kingdom.

Abortion
A woman should have the right to care for her own body, especially during pregnancy, yet we must also recognize that an unwanted pregnancy can be painful and agonizing for both the parties involved, including their family members. The right to abort an innocent life has nothing to do with women’s rights or “her” body, as we fail to see the right of the human life inside her as well as take into account the man who helped create it.

The problem is that when life is cheapened, threatened, or sadly destroyed, this dishonors our God. It goes against God’s plan and purpose for family (Genesis 1:29) and fails to see Him as the sole giver and taker of this life (Samuel 2:6, Psalm 36:9). Rather than seeing an unwanted pregnancy as a viable option to terminate, women and their partners, should be given other options that will prevent the grief and pain that comes with abortion.

In the meantime, we can be praying for those who are in these dire situations and ask God to deliver wisdom and discernment, helping them view their unborn child as a gift that is valued, deeply loved, and has the right to live.

Same-Sex Marriage
Let’s start from the beginning. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created two genders, male and female and that those two became one flesh in a marriage as they take an oath under God (Genesis 2:24). Our sexuality is a trait that we are each born with and is designed to fulfill a plan given by God to create a multiply (Genesis 1:28).

God gives us clear boundaries around sexual intimacy in His Word, not only to provide protection for our hearts, minds, and souls but to be able to enjoy it as a beautiful gift and blessing. Furthermore, all sexual practices outside of the confines of a marriage union are unlawful and sinful (Mark 7:21, Hebrews 13:4). Jesus provides a lovely depiction of a Godly marriage in Ephesians 5:21-33, where both husband and wife are to submit to one another out of reverence for the Lord.

We can respond to this issue by striving to live out a marriage that honors and glorifies God. We must also pray for our society to turn from the damaging and lustful views that seek after fleshly desires and celebrate sinful lifestyles.

Closing Thoughts
While there are countless other issues at hand that are causing quite a stir in modern-day society, let us try to be a light and share God’s love in a world that is desperate for it! As we gather with family and friends this season, let us be peacemakers and restore unity by listening with sincerity but also bringing truth wrapped in hope and peace.

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