Pastor Greg Laurie from Harvest megachurch is really disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision to legalise same-sex marriage in the United States, saying Christians should stand their ground especially since "the church is under attack around the world."
"We look at our own country and we see persecution getting stronger here as well. But you need to know that this is a sign of the times," he said during a sermon entitled "Stand Your Ground!"
Laurie warned that "Bible prophecies are being fulfilled before our very eyes," what with countless strife, war, persecution, and now acceptance of gay marriage.
He also stressed that God created marriage as a special union solely between a man and a woman, and His Word predates all civilisations and culture.
In response to this changing world, Laurie says Christians must first keep calm and not panic. "God is still on the throne," he reminded.
During the first century, Christians were outnumbered by pagans, but they managed to keep their faith alive without the need for protests or marches.
"They turned the world upside down," Laurie said. "They out-loved, outplayed and out-gave the non-believers."
The California pastor chooses to look at the glass half full, saying that there is still some good that can be taken away from this ruling. He cited Romans 8:28 which reads: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
"Even a ruling like this can, in God's sovereign will, work together for our good and His glory," he said.
Christians should be a testimony and a good example of what a biblical marriage looks like to the world, and even though there might be conflicting ideals and beliefs with the rest of the world, Christians should simply "forgive and move forward."
"God loves everyone, no matter what they have done," Laurie said. "He loves the person who is living or identifying as a homosexual. Clearly, people struggle with same-sex attraction."
Just because a person is attracted to the same sex does not mean they're already gay, said the pastor. "That just means that's what you're tempted with. The point is you want to resist those temptations," he said.
