Hannah Conway: Supreme Court Ruling: Being a Christian Author in a World With an Opposing Message

Being a Christian Author in a world that no longer wants to know Jesus -- in a world that no longer wants to hear His message, but desperately needs it.

I’m still soaking in the Supreme Court ruling that recognizes same-sex marriage in all 50 states. I’m saddened, not shocked. For Christians in America, our faith just became more difficult to live out. The implications of the court’s decision are heavy, and the ripple effects will be seen for generations to come.

To redefine an institution that they did not create — the gall, but then, that’s where we, the church and state, differ. With a slam of a gavel, the distinction between church and state has never been made clearer, and I feel as if I have witnessed our nation turn its back on God. Yes, my heart hurts…

I’m hearing love wins from supporters of same-sex marriage, but love already won when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and that’s what homosexuality is—a sin, just like any other sin. Yes, I love my gay friends, but I in no means support their actions. Whether born gay or not, the act of homosexuality is a sin. If a person is born with an alcohol gene, or a tendency toward alcoholism, does that excuse their behavior as an alcoholic? No. In the same way, a person born with same sex tendencies can choose whether or not to act out on their desire.

Maybe the definition of sin is the issue here. Perhaps we can’t agree on what sin is and isn’t. I personally don’t like being told if I’m sinning. It’s offensive to hear. No one wants to be corrected, but God corrects us for our own good. He knows what’s good for us, and only wants the best.

God is very clear on what sin is. It’s outlined in His Word – the Bible—the very Word our nation used to construct its Constitution. We cannot pick and choose what the parts of His Word we will follow, and which we will ignore. This isn’t Burger King, we can’t have it our way. This is God’s world. It’s His way.

And that’s the problem. Our nation doesn’t want it God’s way, but their way, and God, being ever so loving, will never force Himself on anyone, yet He wants desperately for us to choose Him.

For the first time in my life I’m hearing Christians being called ‘haters’ for taking God’s side on this same-sex marriage issue. Haters. Haters because they are taking a stand for what God, The Great I Am, The Creator of the Universe says? The message of Christ is anything but hate. In fact it’s the exact opposite. It’s overflowing with love, forgiveness, redemption, and restoration. Perhaps this message is offense because accepting it, means admitting fault.

Following Christ begins with admitting you’re a sinner (we all are), turning away from that sin, believing Christ is the son of God, that He rose again, and confessing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior –meaning the Lord or boss of our life.

Why is it important to invite Jesus to be the boss of our life? Because He says we’re all sinners, born into it actually, and the punishment for sin is death and eternity in hell after we die. We can’t save ourselves, so Jesus came, took our punishment for sin, died, rose again, and anyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Here’s the thing, God is begging us to walk in His way. He says in his Word that there is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death, but Jesus came to give life.

So what am I to do after the Supreme Court’s ruling? How do I live out love? How do I be “in the world, but not of it”? As a Christian Author, what am I to do in a world that rejects Christ with their words and actions while I write books exclaiming His message of love and redemption?

So many questions, but I know The One who has the answers, so that’s a plus. I know my words, actions, and intentions need to be saturated in love no matter who I’m interacting with. I know love is very much an action—a choice, so I’ll choose to be patient, kind, gentle, selfless, and humble. I will choose not to keep a tally of wrongs. I will always choose to hope, persevere, and rejoices in truth—after all, that’s what Love does. I know that I will not deny or defy God’s Words, and I’m thankful to be surrounded and supported by followers of Christ who will stand with me. And as a Christian Author, well, I find that one a bit easier to answer…I’m going to do what Jesus did so many times, and tell a story that’s filled with love, mercy, forgiveness, and redemption. A story where God is the hero, where truth and love win without ever compromising God’s plan, and His way.

#lovewins #lovealreadywon

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ABOUT HANNAH:
Hannah Conway is a military wife, mother of two, and speaker. Her novels are a deployment experience of their own, threaded with faith, and filled with twists and turns sure to thrill, and encourage. Hannah is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and My book Therapy. She and her family live in Tennessee