Most of you
know that I’m not a politically-charged kind of guy. FBC church-goers don’t hear
politically-motivated messages. I’ve never preached on gun control laws. I’ve
never addressed the President’s healthcare plan from the pulpit. I’ve never discussed
Homeland Security or foreign aid policies during a Sunday morning sermon.
Frankly, I’m willing to leave most of these issues to the talking heads and
bloggers.
I am, however, a biblically-charged
kind of guy. And when biblical issues
start becoming political hot buttons, it’s no time for silence. We are living
in such uncertain, chaotic, confusing days that followers of Christ need to
start speaking out in defense of the faith before we no longer have an
opportunity to do so.
Case in point: the big controversy
over Chick-fil-A. Have you heard about this?
Recently, company president Dan
Cathy stated in an interview with Baptist Press, “We are very much supportive
of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit… We want to do
anything we possibly can to strengthen families.” That was the most
“controversial” part of the article I could find. You may read more at http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38271.
I guess I fail to see the hatred and
discrimination against gays in such statements that some others have found.
Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno, for example, has gone ballistic. He’s exercising
his aldermanic privileges to block Chick-fil-A from constructing a new store in
his ward. The Chicago Tribune
reported that Moreno referred to Cathy’s “bigoted, homophobic comments” in
defending his actions.
Not surprisingly, Chicago Mayor
Rahm Emanuel has completely affirmed the alderman’s decision, saying,
“Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values. They disrespect our fellow
neighbors and residents.” Hmmm. Any Chicagoans take issue with that?
Elsewhere, Boston Mayor Thomas
Menino told the Boston Herald that he
would block any attempt for the franchise to open in his city.
Jim Henson Co., creator of Muppets
films and TV shows, backed out of a deal to create characters for the chain’s
kid’s meals. Instead they donated payments they had received from Chick-fil-A
to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination.
What’s going on here? These
self-appointed enlightenment police are saying that believing in God’s design
for marriage – and being willing to state that publicly – makes you a bigoted
hater disqualified for doing business in their land where they give approval
and applause to those who are practicing what God says ought not to be done.
How long will it be before you’re
asked to state your position on the subject, knowing your answer will determine
whether or not you will have the right to buy or sell in the marketplace? Don’t
think it could happen? Just watch. The acceptance of homosexual relationships
and legalization of same-sex marriage is quickly becoming a defining issue in
this land. Not to mention, divisive, explosive and dangerous.
And just for the record, God’s word
could not be clearer in declaring it a sin. But like others sins, such as theft
and lust and greed and lying and gossip, homosexual sin is not unforgivable.
God can redeem anyone out of that, or any, lifestyle! His mercy is deep enough
to forgive you and to save you. His power is strong enough to break the chains
enslaving you and free you to live in righteousness. His grace is sufficient
enough to strengthen you and transform you. He loves us so much that even while
we are yet sinners, Christ died for us! The Good News is still good news!
Like I said, I’ve got issues. I
can’t keep silent. There’s too much at stake. More than ever, we need the
gospel of Christ Jesus.
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