I understand that some Christians see this as a freedom of speech issue, being able to define marriage as they best understand. I also know that many Christians are deeply troubled by defining marriage in terms other than a man and a woman.

However, we need to step back here and look at the larger picture. We need to look at the role of Christians in the grand scheme of things as ambassadors for Christ, ministers of the Gospel, and God’s redemptive people. We don’t have to approve of same sex marriage, but we do have to think of our mission, our reason for being here.

I like the way Paul speaks of his ministry—he describes himself as a good soldier who has to focus on obeying his commanding officer and completing his mission. Anything that gets in the way of that mission must go.

Christians are here on this earth to share the Gospel, to be agents of God’s Kingdom, and to bring redemption to this world. We’re picking up where Jesus left off: preaching the Good News, healing, and discipling. We can certainly involve ourselves in the matters of our state, however, we must carefully weigh whether these matters have an adverse effect on our mission. If they hinder our mission, then our involvement with the state must go.

The fact of the matter is that Christians are generally labeled as anti-homosexual, if not flagrantly homophobic and hateful toward homosexuals. The other fact of the matter is that Jesus has sent us to preach the Gospel to everyone, including this group. Therefore, it is my assertion that this Proposition Eight business has only succeeded in dragging Jesus through the mud and wasting $85 million that we all know could have been put to much, much better use.

Supporters of Proposition Eight spent around $40 million—it’s opponents $45 million. Just think about the impact that money could have had with groups such as World Vision, Prison Fellowship, Not for Sale, or just about any other missions and service group. This money could have saved lives, supported missionaries who preach the Gospel, or at least paid to place the Bible in someone’s hand.

Instead the followers of Jesus are known as intolerant and anti-homosexual. We can talk all day about supporting Prop. Eight while not being anti-gay, but no one will believe us. Our actions are drowning out anything we may say, whether about ourselves or about the Gospel.

Proposition Eight has crowded out the Gospel. Perhaps it’s not evil in and of itself, though some may make that case, but it certainly has taken evangelical Christians, people who are defined by the Gospel and its life-changing power, away from their primary mission to be witnesses who preach the Gospel.

The survival of Proposition Eight to fight another day means that more money and time will be squandered on something that really has nothing to do with preaching the Good News that Jesus offers salvation and redemption through his death and resurrection. The Gospel cannot be found in the fight for this law, no matter what we make of it. And as much as it inhibits our ability to fulfill the mission Jesus gave us, we must avoid such peripheral matters.

Let us resolve to know nothing other than Christ crucified and the power of his Resurrection.