It's a slippery slope we tread when we go against the grain of authority!It seems to me that today we have so many double standards to discern between,actual legal confusion we could call it,in some of our "United States" it is perfectly legal to possess and consume marijuana while in others one will land in jail for owning even the smallest amount of the drug.This leads me to ask "Just how united are these states" speaking of "united" we have some states where the governing authorities have legalized same sex marriage,allowing the "union" of two people of the same sex legally;making it harder and harder for the biblical bystander to discern what is right,man's law or God's law. I say biblical bystander as a term for one who is a reader and follower of the bible yet does not take the initiative to take a biblical stand either for or against authority.To compound the matter we have the words of Romans 13:1-7 to follow,right?Romans 13
New International Version (NIV)
Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

If we as Christians are to follow this instruction then clearly we are to recognize,respect and honor the same sex marriage performed in a state where it has been legalized,right? what about Leviticus 20:13
“‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Somewhere there is someone thinking they would be "Justified" if they were to stand up against the same sex couple even though the couple is or was married in a state where those same "God established" governing authorities have made it legal, honorable and perfectly legal....I think I will take the same stand as Peter and the apostles did when they answered"We must obey God rather than men"

Remember who the author of lies, hate,fear and confusion is then discern what is right from wrong using a biblical stance.If you become confused remember where that comes from if hate is your driving force know you are in the wrong because All Law can be summed up in one word LOVE

It is complicated, but MLK is a great example. He stood in non-violent (on his part alone) objection to unconstitutional and unjust laws and the administration thereof.

In Germany today, it is a crime to deny the Holocost. School children are taught about it often and early. In Japan, however, you can't find anyone under 30 who knows of the Japanese war crimes.

As the old country song says, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything".

We have the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, and the right to vote. These are powerful freedoms, but only if we use them.

Sex, Sex, Sex...Same Sex, Homosexual Sex, Heterosexual Sex, and in my Case? No Sex. It is kind of a Relief.(1Cor7:1/10/27)

But we are all Sexed...Paul recognised this. So did Jesus and all the Disciples. God made us Sexed. Male on one side and Female on the other.

Now my Two Kids prove I can do Sex and my Second Divorce?

I'm kind of still trying to figure that one out...

So? There is Sex and there is Sex. This is a Big Issue but the Happiest People in Life are those Two--Male and Female--in a Committed Marriage.

There comes a Time in life where Sexual Misconduct gets to the Point where it Kills Us.

The One Flesh Relationship was designed by God to Love each other. Male and Female. Lots of Married Folk just simply cannot have Sex any longer--But they really Love each other. Without the Bedroom Antics...

All this talk about Sex...You are right Blair. All this talk should be about Marital Love--Between a Wife and Husband...

Lots of things are Legal--but lots of things are Very Unprofitable. Spiritually Devistating. I mean I don't want to sleep with the Guy next Door and I don't want to sleep with the Guy next doors Wife.

Marriage...If two Guys want to live together they can do it without Sex. Guys in College Dorms and the Military do it all the time.

But the Morality is Legislated and People are going to do what they want to do...

I have plenty of Sin for which to Account but that does not mean I have to commit any kind of Sexual Sin just to make Bad Matters Worse.

Grant my Dad and I were sitting in Front of the Fireplace one Night...

I told him I was going to work for the Japanese(which I did 7 Years).

He said "Gunk--they were just as much Puppets of Tojo and Hirohito as we were Puppets of FDR and Churchill..."

And he Killed a Ton of Japanese People--Had all the Medals to Prove it.

But you know what? The Japanese I worked for? Were some of the Finest People you would ever know. Hard Working and very Loyal. Hated to talk about WW2. Could not stand to even be questioned about it. They were ashamed of it...

My Dad under the Occupation came to love them. Lived with a Japanese Family for a Year or Two. Very much respected them.

Some of my Best Friends in life...Shimizu and Yamagami and Yoshida and Uno?

I hated to leave them--Loved Them.

Man to be so Down I sure have had a Great Life...Full of Great People.

Roman's 13 talks about being subject to governing authorities, and an example it gives is taxes. It does not talk about following governmental laws that are counter to God's law. If same-sex marriage were legalized in my state, and I were a pastor who performed marriages, I would not marry a same-sex couple. If the consequence was losing my ability to marry anyone, so be it. As a citizen, I don't have to agree with it or "honor" it, either, just like I don't have to agree with or honor adultery and per-marital sex. I'm also called to love the sinner, but I don't have to agree with or honor the sin.

Likewise, if a catholic hospital doesn't want to include payments for abortion or birth control in their employee health plan, and the government says they must, then they will likely take away healthcare for all of their employees. If the government says they must perform abortions, they will likely close the hospital. These are consequences for not following the governmental authority in order to honor God's commands, and in this case the matter of conscience for not following God's command should be stronger than it is for not following the governmental law. Sometimes the consequence for following God's command over the government can mean your very life, as it may for this Iranian pastor who is sentenced to death for being a Christian. http://www.christianpost.com/news/iranian-pastor-youcef-nadarkhani-standing-firm-in-the-face-of-persecution-75381/

Well Ricky Paul wrote that and they threw him in Jail or Prison every Chance they had...

Sexual Sin is the Absolute Worst. And everybody is doing it so it Seems.

I mean he had to go to Corinth--That was a very bad place--We are Talking Guys sleeping with Temple Gal Priests. There are Thousands of Christians in Jail or Prisons.

They are Paying the Price and we are just Talking about it.

This Sex Thing is so Overdone--It is Ridiculous. Just a Bunch of Bored people chasing Orgasms.

But I am the World's Worst...I wish one of my Two Marriages had Worked.

Praise the Lord! Today's devotion is encouraging for me. Thank you!