It has been with great interest that I have watched the latest "news eruption de jour." As most of you know, it has to do with fast food. Somehow that has translated into boycotts. We are now being told with every news cycle that this particular company donates money to hate groups. By the way, using
the list that this corporation was placed on, both the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Focus on the Family are listed as well. So, it seems that this list was compiled to defame any Christian organization that believes in the Bible and practices the truth found in it. At Oceanside church, we support and encourage traditional marriage at every opportunity we have. It breaks my heart to think that any organization that supports traditional family values will now be placed on some type of "McArthy-esque" list that denounces them for standing up and supporting them for what they believe is the most loving and lovely way to live.
Although my purpose in life, or even this week, is not to try and defend multi-billionaires, it seems to me that those using one of the most horrible words in the English language are modeling what they proclaim to be against. As a child, when I used this word, I was punished swiftly. It was considered a curse word in every sense. It is now bantied about as a moniker that will fit any suitable person or ministry or organization in order to push an agenda. We have been driven to draw a line in the sand. And it is on our side that we must stand in love. It is how we will win (See Romans 12:21). We are told that our only debt is to be that of love (Romans 13:8). We are told that the greatest thing we can do is love (1 Corinthians 13:13). And that love cover a multitude of sins (that goes for all of us!)
It is at this point that I must exhort every believer in Jesus to take great care with your words. We are able to stand for a principle in truth while we are loving in deed. We will NEVER win using Satan's weapons to defend. His weapons will only offend. Our greatest instrument in the toolbag of life is to love, unconditionally and unfettered. This is God's design for us and God's commandment to us.
Listen to the very direct words from the Bible:
Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. This is how we will know we belong to the truth and will convince our conscience in His presence, (1 John 3:18, 19 HCSB).
That is true love. A love demonstrated for us by Jesus Himself who loves the sinner, but hated the sin. Our goal as little Christ's is to follow in His steps.
That is why I am so proud of my daughter. She has taken it upon herself, without any coaxing from me, to start a petition requesting that this particular fast food establishment be kept in her school. She only did that after her heart was broken by virulent, untruthful statements were said in order to promote an agenda. When I asked her why she was doing this, she told me it was because she loved the business and what they stood for...traditional families, like ours.
Her headline is the picture that she designed that begins this blog. She sees the traditional family as a place or love and care and accpetance. That's how she grew up. That's what she knows. It is why when one of the supporters of her petition said he signed it in order to watch the other side "cry." She immediately replied that it was all about love and that was the last thing she wanted to see happen.
So, how about it? Are you up to demonstrating real love? Show God's love in practical way to someone today. Maybe someone you disagree with. How about it?
Pastor Trey RhodesMyOceansideChurch.podbean.com - Oceanside's latest audio message.www.MyOceansideChurch.com - for information, direction, pics, and more on Oceanside Churchwww.OCAnnounce.info - for latest news and information about Oceanside Church
Posted with Blogsy
No comments:
Post a Comment