Are Christians Morally Required to Bake Cakes for Same-Sex Weddings?

You’re in a conversation about marriage and someone says, “Christians are called to love people. That means they have to bake cakes for gay weddings. Otherwise, they’re just being mean.” What would you say? It’s true that Christians are called to love our neighbors, and putting love does not mean doing whatever someone asks you to do. In fact, there are some things Christians cannot do, even if it will make their neighbor really happy. If someone tells you that Christians are obligated to bake, decorate, or otherwise participate in a same-sex wedding because it’s the nice thing to do, here are a few things to remember. Love does not celebrate sin If you have a different understanding of sin than the God of the Bible, it’s possible that you have a different God as well. Christians must love others but cannot celebrate sin. We know Christians are required to love everyone, but what does that mean? First Corinthians 13 reminds Christians that love does not rejoice in inquity, but rejoices in the truth. Christians cannot celebrate things God does not celebrate or participate in sin. Whether it’s deceitful business practices, locker room talk, bullying, or sexual immorality, if God doesn’t approve Christians can’t act like it’s ok. Does this mean Christians aren’t allowed to go to places where people will sin? Obviously not. We couldn’t go home or even to church if that was the case. In addition, Christians shouldn’t expect those who aren’t Christians to act like Christians. So the difficulty is understanding at what point we have crossed the line from simply being loving to endorsing things we cannot endorse. Which leads us to the third point. Submit to Jesus then follow your conscience Should I bake the cake? What if I sell them a cake that was pre-made? Can I attend a gay wedding if they know how I think it’s wrong but love them anyway? The apostle Paul says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” As we navigate the tension between grace and truth, we must be sure our decisions are rooted in our desire to please Jesus, rather than our desire to please ourselves, or other people. If we can say that, God’s grace can hold us even if other’s won’t understand. So next time someone asks you whether Christians should bake a bay cake, remember these three things. You can’t speak the truth in love if you don’t believe the truth is loving.