I, like many, followed the plight of Kim Davis, Clerk of Court in Rowan County, Kentucky. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of same sex unions making it national law the practice be accepted in every state. Davis cited her religious conviction as she declined marriage licenses to all petitioners to avoid discrimination claims.

An elected official, Mrs. Davis couldn’t be fired but has to be impeached. That couldn’t happen, except that Governor Steve Beshear called an emergency session of the general assembly before it re-convenes in February which he decided against. Granted, our nation’s highest court asserts citizens have to accept same-sex marriages, but that isn’t my true concern as judgment on that ruling is left to a higher power than me…and the Supreme Court. At issue was how people condemned Mrs. Davis for past choices. Social media had this woman (whom they don’t know) served on a platter for standing on her spiritual conviction.

Reports Mrs. Davis married four times and birthed two children out of wedlock had many crying hypocrisy. It was quite evident very few people understood what being a born again Christian means. Firstly, Davis has made a number of mistakes resulting from questionable choices but there is no one who doesn’t have a few “marks” against them. Doctrine dictates people not judge regardless of beliefs, actions or behaviors. Many allege Christians “hate” those who live alternate lifestyles and say they’re judging but that isn’t the case. God’s Word judges, not true believers who are commanded by scripture to love all but hate sin.

Secondly, the Apostolic Christian never said she’s lived a life without past faults but chose to serve God. People who decide to engage in same sex relationships contend others discriminate against them and assert God loves gays and lesbians as well. This is partially true as the Word commands we love everybody but Leviticus 18:22 (KJV) says “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination and Leviticus 20:13 (KJV) instructs “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” These bible passages make God’s view clear as He loves all His creation but not sin.

Finally, if Mrs. Davis is a true believer who are we to question her faith? More appropriately; who are the unlearned critics voicing opinions about an issue of which they have no understanding? Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) directs: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Mrs. Davis was singled out for “claiming to be a Christian” and many quickly jumped on the bandwagon to condemn her due to past indiscretions. The issue is, each infringement listed came prior to her 2011 decision to live life devoted to serving the Lord. A fundamental element of Christianity is forgiveness afforded all by way of Jesus’ death upon the cross. This allows all to freely choose salvation and thus, eternal life but being a Christian doesn’t, as many believe, mean one has to be perfect. To truly understand Davis’ position one must read the book of Titus from the holy bible.

To those who aren’t followers of Jesus this is foolish rhetoric. Few people understand Davis’ assertion she’s repented and set a new life course enlisting a commitment to follow the Lord. Thusly, I present the following definition of repent:

verb: to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one’s life for the better; be penitent.

Important to understand; upholding Christian values doesn’t make a person a hypocrite due to past sins. Forgiveness, mercy and grace the Lord grants everyone, even those who don’t believe in Him. Davis disclosed she’d sat in church four years ago and repented of “past” sins vowing from that point to live life serving Jesus. There was a time such an action would’ve brought much ovation but today’s society views it more as an insincere pun. For her to concede to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples would, in fact, make Davis a true hypocrite.

Ironically, in a country founded on principles of religious freedoms social mentalities have moved so far to the right of our forefathers’ intent the premise set forth has been diluted to one of no consequence and persists without moral conscious. Over the years cries have moved from religious freedoms to constitutional rights and then from civil rights to equal rights; digressing to a misdirected quest for individual rights.

Detroit Archbishop Adam J. Maida stated:

“Instead of conceiving of society as something established for the defense of individual rights, fair contracts, and due process of law, we are invited to see it in terms of the biblical vision. This way of living, thinking, and acting where autonomy and related rights take priority has seriously jeopardized the meaning and values of all institutions in our society.”

Christians are directed by the Word to obey laws governing society except in cases where man’s law contradicts God’s law. That’s the situation Mrs. Davis faced and chose to honor God’s law over the Supreme Court. It’s ironic that the justices were sworn in during a ceremony requiring them to place their right hand on, of all things, the bible which none appear to have spent much time reading.

Those who condemned Davis for her religious beliefs obviously don’t have insight into scripture to which she has committed obeisance. The Book of First Corinthians 6:9-12 (KJV) details those God says will not see heaven which includes the unrighteous defined as: fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate (refers to the passive partner in a homosexual relationship), abusers of themselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, nor extortionists shall inherit the kingdom of God. According to scripture, homosexuals shall not enter the kingdom of God – It is not fashionable today to suggest such activity is unrighteous and will keep one out of God’s kingdom, but that is what the Covenant of Jesus says.

Davis said she never imagined being asked to violate a central teaching of scripture; of Jesus Himself regarding marriage. She said in another statement: To issue a marriage license conflicting with God’s definition of marriage with her name affixed to it would violate her conscience. “It is not a light issue for me,” she said, “It is a Heaven or Hell decision.” Davis returned to work Monday with Deputy Clerk Brian Mason now handing out marriage licenses without her name affixed.

Before the Supreme Court ruling, same-sex couples would drive to a neighboring county or a place licenses were issued. With it now law, these individuals refuse to be “inconvenienced” but feel justified in mandating others bear the eternal consequences of an act that goes against spiritual conviction. With the various beliefs held regarding life today, it is unconscionable to think a person would be legally bound to accept another’s choice to engage in a certain lifestyle. Has society resolved to push every matter of differing opinion to the tier of the Supreme Court? People differ as is dictated by our unique genetic compositions but is it really necessary to legislate what should be civilized behavior? I could be wrong but it’s just something to consider…