Okay... so I started making a status about this, but it started turning into a book so resorted to the blog that I am so far behind on! As I read this article, it stirred up so many different emotions that I am going to try to put in a somewhat organized manner...
First of all, it makes me so happy to see somebody like the President of Chick-fil-A stand up for his Biblical views... THANK GOD!! Its about time! Have you noticed how people with more liberal views can state how they feel and where they stand on moral issues all the while expecting Christians to shut up and listen (which we usually do)... But heaven forbid when somebody actually stands up for Christianity. Its ridiculous! The thing that makes me sick though is that Dan Cathy never said that he was anti-gay! He even said that "Chick-fil-A's culture and service tradition is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect- regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender". But he was automatically put in the anti-gay (not wanting anything to do with gays) category because he had a Christian view on something. Before I go any further- you need to understand that I am "pro-Biblical marriage", but before anything else- God has called all of us to be "pro-people"... Which brings me to my next point!
It is so sad the reputation Christians have acquired! Like I said, we are ALL called to be "pro-people"... That doesn't mean that we agree with what they do or support what they do, however it does mean that we still love them. It means that we still reach out to them. It doesn't mean we isolate ourselves away from them because their sin of gayness... You know why? It is just as crucial as your sins. Sobering thought, huh? In general, most Christians think of themselves as being better or higher than those sins, but I am sorry! If you are saved, it is by NOTHING you did! It is strictly by God's grace! ...and when you think like that, self righteousness is just as toxic as being gay! Sadly enough, Dan Cathy was put into that "self-righteous" category because he had a Christian view on something... Christians- this should wake you up! Is that the vibe Jesus left to everybody-that He was better than everybody else? NO!! He stood firm on what He believed, yet loved everybody! This is why I am praying for Dan Cathy and that he continues to stand firm- he did what God has called all of us to do! 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love." He did just that- he was asked his beliefs and he did not hold back at all, yet he did not once discriminate against anyone (even though the media has turned it all around).
Christians- We need to grow.... a backbone (for better use of words)! We need to know what we believe and stand up for it... However, there are some "Christians" out there that feel "standing up for what you believe in" means you need to debate EVERYTHING! Oh My Gosh... STOP! 1 Timothy 1:5-6 even says, "5The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions." It clearly states as Christians- love should pour out of us. If you have a pure heart, a clear conscience, a genuine faith and you are completely filled with God's love, then who cares about all of the stupid debates that just cause division. Our first priority needs to be loving God and right after that its loving people. PERIOD!! Don't you realize that debating useless things makes it all about you?! Isn't our life on this earth supposed to be all about Jesus?! Getting mad at someone who has different views (or making them feel stupid like your views are better) than yours is not going to make them want to follow this Jesus you supposedly follow?! However, when they see the love that God has poured out on you and you pour it out on them, how much more likely would they be to knowing more about this Jesus? Christians- Its not our job to judge!! It is to LOVE! Before Jesus left the earth- He commanded us "Love one another. Just as [He] has love[d] us, so [we] should love others." He goes on to say that
"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
Pretty simply put, if you ask me!
I am going to finish on this post by saying this... Everything I said was preached to me just as much as I was typing it to whoever was reading it! The last thing I think is that I am perfect because I am far from it... But the Holy Spirit inside of me started boiling when I read this and I couldn't help but put it all out here! It makes me sick to think that the name Christians make for themselves is "anti-everything", instead of "pro-God"... We are no better than anyone else and if we truly are "pro-God", our actions should show just that- where we "watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that we do be done with love."
The verse I am going to close with is Philippians 2:10-11 which says
"...at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
For Christians, this verse is even more reason to quit judging and ridiculing those with different beliefs. Don't misunderstand me- Stand firm on the Word of God, but love all and show them the love of Jesus. If a transformation takes place in them, it will have nothing to do with you and all to do with God! So lets realize... It's not about winning debates, its about winning non-believers. Its not about judging, its about loving!
ITS NOT ABOUT US! IT'S ALL ABOUT GOD!
