I was recently made aware that the Department of Education in the state of Michigan is currently soliciting opinions from the people of our beautiful state. As it turns out, “Every voice counts” when it comes to this particular issue. Of course, we all know what that really means: We will listen to you as long as you agree with us. That’s what the intoleristas are good at; tolerance only goes so far for those intolerant tolerance-proclaimers. In a war of “good news” messages, the “good news” for those a part of the sexual revolution is that sexuality and gender identity is entirely subjective, and man-made (or “woman-made,” if you prefer). This gospel message promises to you that the problem is the old way of doing things (e.g., when you’re born, if you have a penis, you’re a male!), and the redemption story is that you have the moral ability responsibility to defy the old way and embrace the new way. This (false) gospel is getting lot’s of airtime on television, and the beastly State herself has jumped on board, all in the name of “tolerance,” “love,” and “freedom.”

At any rate, here’s what the Michigan DOE is saying:

The State Board of Education (SBE) is committed to promoting a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for all students and ensuring that every student has equal access to educational programs and activities. Due to a variety of factors, the school experience can be significantly more difficult for students with marginalized identities. Despite widespread efforts, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students continue to face challenges that threaten their health, safety, and learning opportunities in schools.

Now, I have to be up front lest I be charged with being an oppressive meanie-head. The Christian position is never one of frivolous mockery. There is, however, a place for Christian satire and godly mockery. Just ask Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:20-40). But the goal should never be to perpetuate the sky-rocketing suicide rates of those struggling with these issues (and they are out there). It does no good for the Christian to withhold the true gospel message while tossing insults at those who are stuck in sin (“such were some of you”). In fact, I would argue that to speak to this issue apart from the gospel would be wrong. The reason we can speak to this issue is because of the gospel. We have light and heat, an iron fist wrapped in a velvet glove. The message offends, but it should only be the message that offends.

To be clear: the state has no business in education, but I’m not going to go there right now. The church and family institutions are given this role in scripture. The state is not an institution of healing, but instead an institution of justice (Rom. 13:1-7). Nonetheless, these are the cards we’re dealt. So what should happen from here?

Here’s the deal. At some point redemption just can’t happen. Abraham tried, but Sodom was doomed from the start. You can’t always redeem something so massive as the state-sponsored-larceny system of public schools. I appreciate the many Christians who are laboring there, trying to be salt and light; it’s a mission field, that’s for sure. I have friends who are on the front lines trying their best to reach kids with the gospel. But at some point, the Christian teacher is going to be forced to teach that gender identity is subjective, decided by you, only by you, and without parental consent! What Michigan is trying to do is create a culture, because they know they can’t just drop this down on everyone. It starts with allowing boys who identify as girls go into the girls locker room to shower because that’s their god-given right. (“God,” in the case, being demos and the state.) But it won’t stop there. The goal is confusion, and the smoke and mirrors game starts by removing both parental authority, and Godly authority.

When you read what the DOE put forth, you’ll notice that the language contains things like “bullying,” “at risk,” “programs,” and “training.” I don’t like bullies, there are kids at risk, and programs and training aren’t always bad. But they want kids to determine their own gender, name, bathroom usage, and even the very pronouns we use to identify each other on a daily basis. If she identifies as a he but doesn’t like the pronoun “he” because she’s (it’s?) a feminist–what on earth are we to do?

Satan loves confusion. Evil loves immorality. But Jesus Christ died for sin. He became as sin on the cross so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). We have a message of world conquest and so does the LBGTQYUNINERPX crowd (did I catch a “niner” in there?) It just so happens, however, that their message cannot last–the wages of sin is death. But we have a King who went through death and out the other side. And this gracious King has issued the terms and conditions of surrender. Instead of indulging one’s self in the confusion, in the immorality, know that your sins can be forgiven. The message we have is urgent: repent and turn to Christ and be saved–be reconciled to this King before it’s too late.

Make your voice heard, church. He has spoken, and therefore we must speak.