Homosexuality, Voting
and the Gospel of Jesus

      I am writing this article on Election Day. In Tennessee, we are voting on an amendment to our constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. I am all for the amendment. I hope it passes because it will be a pronouncement that more than half of the vocal people in Tennessee believe I Corinthians 7:2.

      I am writing this article before I actually know the outcome of the vote because I want you to know ultimately I don’t really care what happens in the vote. It will not change anything.

      Here is the sad nature of what will happen. If the amendment is not approved, religious people everywhere will mourn how awful society is. They will double their political efforts. They will go to Washington and do all sorts of lobbying and political things. However, will anybody else become homosexual tonight if this legislation fails? No.

      What if it passes? The religious people will dance a jig. They will celebrate and talk about what a wondrous victory they have achieved. They will go to Washington and do all sorts of lobbying and political things to get our national constitution changed as well. However, will anyone stop being homosexual tomorrow if it passes? No.

      In the end, this legislation will not change anything. It may make us feel good about our society. It may make us feel bad. But in the end we had better come to grips with the fact that state legislation on the nature of marriage is merely symbolism over substance regarding our work as Christians.

      Don’t misunderstand me. I hope the legislation passes. I hope you voted in favor it. I hope we can demonstrate the majority of Tennesseans believe homosexuality is immoral and costs people their souls eternally. But when all is said and done, this legislation is not going to change one thing about what I am supposed to do as a Christian.

      Political victories or losses do not equal spiritual victories or losses. Our job is not to get “Christian legislation” passed. Our job is to teach people the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15). The passage of this legislation will not save anyone’s soul. Only teaching them the gospel will.

      If the amendment failed, let us not wallow in discouragement, but rather teach another person the gospel, which includes the truth on homosexuality. If the amendment passed, let us not rest on that victory thinking we have done anything for God’s kingdom. Instead, let us get out and teach the gospel. We will only have real spiritual victory if we teach the gospel to another person, helping them overcome their sins whether they are homosexuality, adultery, covetousness or idolatry. We can have success in these areas. Just read I Corinthians 6:8-10. But this success won’t come through voting. It will come through teaching.

Edwin L. Crozier