I am having a difficult time with the discussion about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. I get uncomfortable when religion end up on the front page, because the reference is usually negative. In my opinion much of the world already has a negative view of us as Christians. One of the issues that millennials take with the church is that we are known more for what we are against, than for what we stand for.
As I understand it, the issue came to the forefront because a bakery refused to provide a cake for a wedding based on their religious principles. In this case the couple being married were of the same sex. From a religious perspective, the baker believed a marriage between people of the same sex goes against the Bible. While I share that biblical perspective, I have to wonder about the approach.
I recall the WWJD bracelets that were in style decades ago. When it comes to extending a ministry or a service to others, would Jesus refuse based on the other persons belief or lifestyle? In response to the question, "What would Jesus do?" I think the response is he would serve them. Remember, we have a Savior to reached out to lepers and prostitutes. He dined with tax collectors and was not opposed to spending time with the Pharisees either. While we do not know much about the adult years prior to his ministry, we do know he was a carpenter. I doubt that Jesus refused to build furniture for folks just because they held a different political perspective or lived a lifestyle he did not approve of.
Jesus gave the command to love others. He demonstrated that love by going to the cross. When he died, his sacrifice was for all people. There is no room for a "No Shoes, No Service" sign outside a church. Likewise there should be no policy that states we refuse to serve gays and lesbians. They need to know the love of Jesus. For that to happen we need to have a relationship with them. Providing service, or selling them a product might just open the door for that to happen.
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