With everyone else, he entered into their world. Yes, he called them to repentance, and we need to do that. We can’t back down from what the Bible says about homosexuality. But we need to do it with the love, gentleness, and affection of Christ Jesus. Not with snarky Facebook comments and loud demonstrations.Read the rest.
Jesus was called a friend of sinners. I don’t think that buying chicken sandwiches puts us into that category.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
"The only people Jesus boycotted were the religious leaders."
Stephen Altrogge:
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11 comments:
This is very unwise. The philistines are attacking, and you are suing for peace.
You don't live in Israel.
i absolutely don't agree. it wasn't "against" anything. it was to support the stand of the owner FOR traditional marriage. the "against" people already voiced their opinion. mayors included. the barrier was already there.
"For" or "against" isn't really the point. It's the perception. It really doesn't accomplish anything other than making a statement with you actions. But that statement probably isn't going to draw you any closer to loving people better who think differently than you. Jesus seemed to have a knack for that. Do we?
"Against" is what Stephen brought up. What if Dan Cathy were brought up on charges and was sentenced to death for stating what he did... and you were required to voice where you stood, would you back away for fear of "offending" those who put him there? Jesus also said he would bring a sword to close relationships because of a stand for Him. And i do have a brother-in-law who is homosexual, so i know what it means to love someone who disagrees with and ostracizes me for what i believe. And i have NEVER condemned him in my actions or my words.
Your example doesn't square because that is not the situation we are in. Of course, I pray that God would give me the strength to endure if that was the case. That day could be coming... But even still, I'm not sure how drawing these lines of demarcation really gets us anywhere. Basically it accomplishes a statement. Ok great. Now what?
How about we all have homosexual friends that we hang out with and love really really well and serve really really well and then see what happens. Might be a bit different platform to speak from with ears that might be a bit more open than if I march down the street waving my Chick-Fil-A flag.
Zach, I don't think anyone was waving a Chick-fil-a flag. They were, however saying "i support marriage as God defines it." And my example does set well. If we won't support and stand for the truth and those who stand for it when the consequences are small, we surely won't when the consequences are life threatening. The statement was the accomplishment because it showed a lot of folks that what we are being fed by the media and the cultural elite is not what most folks are really believing. I think it also emboldened a lot of folks to take a (small) stand for truth that will lead to more meaningful and courageous actions... like talking to a neighbor about Jesus, maybe even a homosexual neighbor.
What about coming to the defense of a fellow believer by supporting his business? Cathy doesn't descriminate against homosexuals (contrary to how this is being played up in the alpha-bet media)- but he does have the freedom (still)to express his religious views on the topic and to say that he believes in the biblical concept of one man, one woman - and for this he is targeted by the radical left. As Martin Neimoller stated in another troubling time, not so unlike our own... First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.
Application of this principle is needed here as well.
I meant, HC has it about right. Sorry Zack.
Steve said, "What about coming to the defense of a fellow believer by supporting his business? Cathy doesn't descriminate against homosexuals."
Steve hit the nail on the head here. There's a lot about this thing that's silly--including the idea that we are NOT loving homosexuals by supporting this restaurant. I'm tired of this idea that we're gonna push an unbeliever away for this or that reason. God saves. What happened Wednesday is far less offensive than the cross.
The other part of Steve's statement has also been missed. With all of the talk of tolerance today and how little tolerance was shown toward Cathy and his business when this was all started by the other side (let's be honest, there are sides here), Cathy is an example of tolerance. He has stated his beliefs (which should not have surprised anyone) and yet DOES NOT discriminate in his establishment. I'm disappointed that this hasn't been highlighted. Again, HE IS AN EXAMPLE OF TOLERANCE.
Gee. Wait till the news gets out that Biblical churches don't allow homosexual membership or marriage.
HC,
Did you ask your gay brother-in-law was his perception of the march to support Chick-Fil-A meant to him?
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