On January 20, 2025, the administration issued Executive Order 14168: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism & Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” This sweeping action:
- Declares “sex” strictly biological and immutable as assigned “at conception.”
- Removes federal recognition of transgender identities, banning gender self-identification on federal documents, including passports. This results in people no longer allowed to self-identify their gender on passports and federal records.
- Gender-affirming health care is no longer supported by federal funding.
- Stops funding for gender-affirming care and restricts transgender access to single-sex federal facilities. FederalRegistrar.govWikipedia
- Transgender people are now restricted from accessing public services and spaces that align with their identity.
Just over a week later, EO 14187 (Jan 28, 2025) prohibited federal funding for gender-affirming treatments for those under 19, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy—a policy backed by the Department of Defense and HHS. Wikipedia
For many, this was heralded as a return to “traditional values.” But I ask you, fellow believers: whose values are we defending? Because they are not Christ’s.
The Gospel Doesn’t Look Like This
"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." — Matthew 25:40
"Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." — Mark 12:31
How can we love our neighbor while denying them dignity?
How can we defend Christian values by causing suffering?
Yet these policies erase identities, remove medical care, and strip dignity from some of our most vulnerable—acts that tangibly harm our neighbors and contradict the heart of Christ’s command to love, serve, and protect.
Jesus Didn't Demand Conformity—He Offered Grace
Let’s not forget:
- Jesus dined with the unclean.
- He welcomed eunuchs (those who, in ancient times, were outside of clear-cut societal norms) into the Kingdom of Heaven (see Isaiah 56:4–5, Matthew 19:12).
- He healed those whom society cast aside.
- He never once required conformity to cultural norms before offering love.
When we legislate identity and health, we risk replicating the ancient golden calf—an idol of control that quotes Scripture but betrays its spirit.
Legal Battles Underscore the Moral Fight
Courts swiftly struck back:
- A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking defunding LGBTQ+ nonprofits, reinstating $6.2 million in grants suspended under EO 14168. ThemThem
- Another order blocked the defunding of gender-affirming care providers while litigation proceeds. Health Law Advisor
These decisions reflect the biblical call to seek justice for the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17).
Worshipping the Golden Calf of Power
The ancient Israelites crafted the golden calf because they wanted a god they could see, touch, and control. They wanted certainty and dominance, not the mysterious and sometimes uncomfortable presence of the true God.
We’re doing the same when we sacrifice love at the altar of control.
When we cheer for laws that wound the vulnerable in Christ’s name.
When we support leaders who defy every fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–23 reminds us what true Christian character looks like:
“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Are these the values reflected in this law?
Or in the man who signed it?
A Call to Return
This isn’t politics—it’s a crossroads of faith.
This is about repentance.
If you supported these measures, that cause pain, erase dignity, and strip the vulnerable of care-I urge you to:
- Pause before praising even well-intentioned laws.
- Examine if your values reflect Jesus—not fear.
- Repent if you've replaced mercy with judgment.
- Pray and advocate for laws that protect the vulnerable.
Ask yourself: Am I following Christ? Or am I following the golden calf of Mar-a-Lago?
We are called to be better than this.
We are called to be like Jesus.