Thursday, August 2, 2012
Building People of Substance for Works of Power
The revival is on, Friend!
I really had hoped that I could wait out the great chicken sandwich kerfuffle and opine on something else, but I just can’t seem to get it off my heart. There are several things that make me want to scream. First of all, the statement quoted by the press as “anti-gay” and assaulted by activists as “hate speech,” was actually pretty tame. Here is the actual quote from the Baptist Press:
"We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that. We operate as a family business … our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that. We intend to stay the course. We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles." Dan Cathy, COO of Chik-fil-A
That statement, along with a history of supporting such hateful groups as Focus on the Family, caused a firestorm of protest, including politicians threatening to withhold business permits. It is neither hateful nor anti-anyone to state what the Scripture says. It would be hateful to sit and say nothing as an entire group of people skips blissfully toward the abyss without trying to at least warn them. There is a God. He doesn’t approve of sexual sin. There is an eternity. Don’t go there without Jesus. If that offends you, I am sorry. It is surely less offensive than allowing you to go to hell unimpeded.
The more concerning issue is that elected officials could weigh in on this debate by threatening economic sanctions for all who hold the biblical position. That is tyranny. It speaks to me of the condition of our nation. The fact that politicians said it means they think it will play well to the majority of their voters. They are thermometers, not thermostats. The viciousness and the boldness of the attacks on Mr. Cathy tell me that our country has entered a new phase in its spiritual decline. We have ceded the educational system to the ungodly. We have de-fanged our preachers in the name of sensitivity. We have acceded to the filth in our airwaves by continuing to support it. We have voted our pocketbook instead of our Holy Book. Now we are faced with a society where it is considered aberrant to believe the Scripture and to order our lives accordingly. Darkness thinks it has us on our heels. Truth is, it is just further proof that the final revival is on. Comfort is being displaced by holy passion. Complacency is giving way to urgency. For those who will embrace the moment and not shrink back, we are about to have some fun!
Somebody Said: “Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained.” Mahatma Ghandi
Scripture Reading: Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. (20) God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. (21) So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:19-21 NLT
It really is not time to despair, but to be aware. Be aware that the world around us needs Jesus. The fact they are screaming means they are hearing us. Don’t be distracted by the racket of protest, there is also a swell of agreement. Our message should produce either hatred or repentance. A tepid response usually comes from a wimpy message. Be clear. Be accurate. Be kind. His grace is becoming more abundant.
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