Proposition 1 Defeat: Saying “Yes” to Immorality

In Anchorage’s election this week the citizens were allowed to make a choice between following God’s laws and design for morality (by supporting Proposition 1) or following man’s desires to accommodate and perhaps mandate immorality in the public sector. Commonly referred to as “the bathroom bill,” Proposition 1 sought to overturn a 2016 municipal ordinance which provided “anti-discrimination protection” for “trans-gender” persons which would allow them to utilize public bathrooms and changing facilities based on how they “gender-identified” rather than their biological sex at birth. To boil all this down into simpler terms, the defeat of Proposition 1 means that a person born a biological male, but who now “self-identifies” as a woman cannot be denied access to women’s public restrooms, changing facilities, and other “women’s-only” private spaces.

There are more than a few problems with this issue. First, the rules for defining what gender a person is if we do not use biological sex at birth (which has ALWAYS been used in ALL civilizations) as the standard, how does one determine when a person has “changed genders.” The process by which people approach a true “sex-change” is lengthy and many people who label themselves as “trans-gender” never complete that process. So how do we discern between “true” trans-gender persons and sexual predators looking for access to easy prey? Second, a related point, as has been reported in the local news lately a man claiming to identify as a woman demanded access to a women’s only shelter for women who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse. The man denied entrance is now filing a lawsuit against the faith-based shelter for gender discrimination based on the 2016 municipal ordinance.

Third, and most importantly, what comes next in our slide into total depravity? In 1973 the Supreme Court “legalized” abortion in the landmark case of Roe v. Wade, which, in essence, legalized what God sees as murder. Since then, the moral decay of America has been at full throttle. We have accepted and in many cases, endorsed homosexual lifestyles including their “right” to be in recognized marriages. Now, with the “trans-gender” issue we are endorsing the right of a human being to determine his or her own gender. This action is a direct affront to God who created humans “male and female” (Gen. 1:27). God did NOT leave the gender issue open for debate! So, if all of these “rights” (abortion, homosexuality, and determining one’s own gender) are now part of our American culture, what is next? How far is too far? How long can we insult the God Who created and sustains us?

Before you throw up your hands in surrender and helplessness, let me offer you a couple thoughts.  First, if you are a believer, you need to VOTE in ALL elections within your area. Every single vote matters! While the election results are not yet fully counted, Proposition 1 lost by only a couple thousand votes. What would the result have been if EVERY believer of voting age had voted their morals and said “Yes” to Proposition 1? Given the number of church-goers in Anchorage, the result very likely would have been different. As a believer you need to be aware of and become active in civil government matters. The immoral legislation passed in our country is because Christians don’t participate in civic government. Make your voice known and influence the law of the land – it is your right and your duty.

Second, we need to pray! God’s Word (1 Tim. 2:1-2) tells us to pray for our leaders – that means ALL our leaders, not just the ones we like! Prayer will open the communication link between you and God which will result in your desire to follow Him and all His ways. To find out more about prayer, join us this Sunday (April 8) at our 11 a.m. service. I will be praying for you to seek and obey God’s will.  Don’t give up hope – remember God’s promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14: “if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

– Pastor Dave