Pay Attention
29/12/13 12:25 Filed in: Inspirational
In the overall scheme of things the issue surrounding Phil Robertson is nothing more than another crater on the moon; in a year who is really going to notice. But in the more immediate sense, and this is really where you need to start paying attention, what we are looking at is the birth of hate mongering of Christians.
A&E stated emphatically that Phil Robertson gave HIS opinion, and that it was not part of the A&E value system. Others on both sides of the controversy have either applauded or castigated Mr. Robertson for daring to give his opinion about gays. I have been awaiting the outcome of his little hiatus experience before posting on the matter. I am openly surprised that A&E turned around so quickly; but that is really immaterial.
In view of Mr. Robertson’s release from his suspension on the Duck Dynasty series, I find that the timing is right for me to say something; my 2¢ as it were. The good news is I have no reality show to be suspended from, I do not have a plethora of fans and followers to disappoint or inflame, and no network ties to create a possible threat situation. So, if you are inclined, grab a cup of coffee and read the musing of a simple Christian man.
First, let it be clearly understood that Phil Robertson was not giving us HIS opinion on gays; he was declaring God’s opinion on the matter. The views expressed by Robertson are given to us, by God, in the Bible; Phil is in 100% agreement with that statement. Apart from God’s revealed “opinion” on homosexuality, Robertson may have shared the same humanistic views as A&E, or he might have adopted the same views as the myriad gay bashers across the globe. But Robertson did not communicate either of those extremes. In case you have been in a cave the past few days, here is what Phil Robertson is quoted as saying:
“It seems like, to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”
“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”
“Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers — they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
If you would like to see where Robertson gets his material, you need only turn to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Revelation 20:15.
What we are staring squarely in the face is intolerance; not from Robertson, but from A&E and its supporters, from the LGBT community. The homosexuals can say anything they like and the rest of the world must grin and bear it; to do otherwise is to be labeled as hateful, discriminatory, and intolerant. The LGBT community can give their opinions about love, sex, marriage, alternate life-styles, etc. all day long and none of them is censured for the “opinions” put forth. But let a godly man ever dare to testify to his faith and his confidence in God’s Word and he is censured, brow-beaten, mocked, ridiculed, and defamed. Well, Hallelujah, Phil, you are in good company.
The fundamental rule of communication is found in Zechariah 8:16—
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
And what is the truth? According to John 17:17—
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Phil Robertson obeyed God’s Word and spoke God’s Word (the truth). Phil is a blessed man for, according to Matthew 5:11-12—
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
The intolerance we are facing, as Christians, is not the mere vocalizing of faith in God, for other people of other faiths are allowed to give voice to their writings, prophets, etc. No, the intolerance Christians face is the intolerance of having a non compromising relationship with Jesus Christ, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Savior of humanity.
Apparently it does not matter that it is an historical fact: every culture that has allowed homosexuality to exist and proliferate has ended in ruin; bar none. It tears at the very fabric of every society in which the devil introduces it. It is perpetuated by charges of intolerance against those who do not agree with it. All the while, and ever at work, the depravity of man is lauded as righteousness and forward thinking. But Phil Robertson said that is not “truth.” He stood up as a solitary voice, with the courage of his convictions, and agreed with God. If he had said, “...there is no God,” he would have been praised by the media. If he had said, “...the Bible is wrong, homosexuality is just another style of life. The Bible has not kept up with the progress of humanity,” he would have been praised by the LGBT community. But Phil Robertson said what the God of all creation said, and he was castigated for it.
So, dear friends, whether you be in agreement or disagreement with the LGBT community, whether you be Christian, Jew, atheist, agnostic, Hindu, Muslim, or Shinto; whether you be vegan, carnivore, or omnivore; whether you are black, white, or transparent; PAY ATTENTION...the next one to be labeled as intolerant may be you.
Many years ago I heard this definition of a religious fanatic:
A religious fanatic is someone who loves Jesus more than you do.
Phil Robertson has declared that he is a lover of humanity. Robertson’s actions are in harmony with his declaration. He loves ALL people enough to tell them the truth (God’s Word).
In one of the blurbs that have been so prevalent the past several days, Phil made an appeal not to be supporters of Phil Robertson, but to be a supporter of Jesus Christ. Mr. Robertson, again, is correct. Phil Robertson matters nothing, because Phil Robertson is not God become flesh.
If you can find the courage in this age of intolerance against Christianity, then be a supporter of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not Robertson, nor Fry, nor any other man. If you are of a different faith, then stand up and be heard on the tenets of your faith. But we must have an end to the forced silencing of dissenting voices. If the LGBT communities position is so fragile that it will collapse because one redneck dares to voice an opinion against it, then I say let it collapse with haste, and let there arise a host of rednecks with truth in their mouths.
As Christians, I believe the truth we declare is eternal and cannot be made untrue, despite efforts to the contrary. Be a Christian, have a voice, make a difference!
