Last week it was reported that Republican Senator Rob Portman has reversed his stance on same-sex marriage after learning that his son is gay. Portman said that this son, who is a junior at Yale University, inspired him to reassess his position on same sex unions. “The overriding message of love and compassion that I take from the Bible, and certainly the Golden Rule… has influenced my change on this issue,” Portman said. This breaking news about a man who was seriously considered as a vice-presidential running mate for presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, just over a year ago, reminded me of a disconcerting event that happened during my teen years. An elder in our church resigned to join a cult [Jehovah’s Witnesses]. His stated reason for making the change? His only daughter was in a serious love relationship with a JW boy, and, in the likely event of their marriage, he wanted the family to be united religiously.
Both of these accounts highlight what has become a serious moral problem in our post-Christian society… fathers who lead from the rear, fathers who ‘re-act’ instead of ‘pro-act,’ fathers who lead from a position of accommodation… in short, fathers who do not lead from conviction. In both of these real life illustrations, the fathers had previously professed strong moral/doctrinal convictions, which is commendable. But, they caved in. They compromised what was once very important to them. This emotional dependence on their children’s good will trumped their convictions. They renounced their convictions, and in the process lost their moral authority to lead. Not a good trade.
Pray with me… Our Father in heaven, we know that truth without love can be thoughtless and cruel, but love without truth has no foundation, no content. May we love as Jesus loves, and lead as Jesus leads, with conviction… maintaining loyalty to what it right and true. In the name of Jesus, who is the Truth, we pray, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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