For what I believe is biblical reasons I have always avoided
the temptation to rally against popular social whims that come along. I believe
politics should stay in the social and patriotic realms of discussions and that
our foundation and center should always be biblical Christian values. However,
when the clash happens where government steps into the areas of Christian
doctrine and creates waves that affect our centricity of Jesus Christ and His
teaching then I must do my job to exhort, encourage and edify the body of
Christ.
Recently the press is taking a Christian business man and
Christian values and making it something of a mockery to the Almighty God. I
also resist being a prophet (not preaching but predicting the future) however,
I firmly believe these type challenges will get much worse. So what is the big
deal with Chick-fil-A? Associated press said they have become a political
symbol and make light of the stand this company is taking. The US cities of
Boston and Chicago said the national food chain is NOT welcome in their cities with
the mayor of Chicago stating “Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values.”[i] The issue at hand is homosexuality and gay
marriage to which Chick-fil-A has taken a stand.
So what is the big deal? The big deal is that homosexuality
is an abhorrent sin that God does not take lightly; in fact He calls it an
abomination. (Lev. 18:22) For some this brings up the question that all sin is
equal and that concept is not biblical. In the light of evangelism we have
truthfully taught that any sin big or small separates us from God and that is
perfectly true. However, throughout Scripture there are certain sins that attract
God’s attention very quickly and homosexuality is one of them. It was primarily
for this sin that brought God to rain fire and brimstone on two cities in the
Old Testament called Sodom and Gomorra. (Gen. 19:23-29) Paul spoke boldly about
this sin in Romans 1:24-25 stating that God gave them up or turned these people
loose in their sin for whatever or wherever the evil one wanted to take them.
This is very serious.
This sin creates a ripple effect that touches other
doctrines and also will touch other areas of life, like social issues,
confusion on truth and the paradox of where do you draw a line. By the way we
always have to have lines or else we become conformed to the world. (Rom
12:1-3) The most effected ripple effect is the doctrine of marriage. The
doctrine of marriage is extremely clear in Scripture to be between one man and
one woman. (Gen. 2:24, Eph. 5:22-33) The doctrine of marriage was instituted by
God not by the government, though that is where we have allowed it to go. The
doctrine of marriage is special, it is sacred because of the Inventor, the
Almighty Creator God! Anything less than what God has set forth in Scripture
related to this very important doctrine of the church is sin and will bring
judgment on the churches, people and Christians that conform to the world. I
believe that church history will show that the primary cause of the Roman
empire was this very sin and (again not to be a prophet but…) I believe will be
the primary cause of judgment on the United States of America.
Where further challenges come is what we do about this.
First, we must go to the basics. God instructs us to love all people as this is
the second greatest commandment. (Matt. 22:39) However, we have to learn to
love the people while hating the sin. We have to learn how to love the people and
work hard at drawing the appropriate lines appropriately not confirmatively. We
have to show the love while not falling in to accepting the sin. We have to
learn to show the love while keeping the center move of Scripture, repentance,
grace, reconciliation and restoration. It is a challenge but we have to do it or else
we will be judged, we will fall short of what God expects of us and we will let
our Lord and Savior down, big time!
Further I must say, due to the importance of this issue and
the importance of the doctrine of marriage and the doctrine of family, as long
as Steve Bennett is pastor of Fairview Baptist Church this will be the stand we
take. I am confident and adamant about the Truth and the calling to hold to the
Truth. Are you with me?
[i] “Chick-fil-A
Sandwiches Become a Political Symbol” Associated Press, July 26, 2012 accessed
July 27, 2012.
