A Thin Line Between Love & Hate: The Gospel & Chick-Fil-A

I woke up and was saddened by this headline: "Gay Rights Activists Plan Kiss Day At Chick-Fil-A Restaurants." Not because of what gay rights activists plan to do today at Chick-Fil-A's across the country, but because of how this how ordeal has turned into an "us" vs. "them" fiasco.

Dan Cathy was candid about his views when he said, "Well, guilty as charged. We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that. We intend to stay the course. We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles." I applaud him for standing for Truth.

In retaliation to what he said, those who opposed his views decided to boycott the company and some cities stated that Chick-Fil-A stores would not be allowed in their cities. Fine! That's nothing new. Jesus said in Jn. 15:18-19 "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you."

Christians and others who went out in support of the First Amendment, on the account of a Mike Huckabee initiated "Appreciation Day" took to every Chick-Fil-A in the country to support Dan Cathy on August 1st. On one hand there's nothing wrong with supporting a Christian business owner who stood up for what he believes in. When we’re questioned about our faith or beliefs that coincide with our faith, we are to respond in the same way Dan Cathy responded; steadfast with decency. On your campuses, on your jobs, in your families, amongst your peers and colleagues, and in the midst of strangers, stand for the truth of God!

On the other hand, as believers, if our actions or words in the “name” of standing for Truth come off as hatred towards others, that's a problem. For example, a Christian store owner (in the name of standing for truth) publicly referred to gay people as "AIDS-ridden sickos", and stated that if gays came to his store in an effort to kiss there he would have "big bouncers there to smash skulls". He further stated that, “we need a few thousand muscle bound Christians to be at all the locations to protect their property." We are charged in Romans 14:16 to not let our good be spoken evil of. In 1 Cor. 16:13-14, we are encouraged to stand firm in our faith and be strong, but to do so in love. 1 Pet. 3:15, as my brother Derek Drew pointed out, we are charged to always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. Look at the heart of God expressed in 2 Pet. 3:9. "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." This means HOMOSEXUALS too!

I pray that we believers are just as willing to love on and pray for unbelievers in spite of their sin much more than we are willing to stand in line for hours to support Chick-Fil-A. Jesus Christ loved and saved us in the midst of ours. Revisit Romans 5. Shai Linne said it best: "The Son of God suffered the wrath of God to turn enemies of God into children of God for the glory of God #whatagospel!" I pray that our efforts, even in standing for Truth, look more and more like Jesus Christ and less like modern day Pharisees. "Don't judge someone because they sin differently then you." -Joey Hughes. Let’s stand for truth in our own everyday lives by rebuking the sinful desires of our flesh and living lives that are worthy of His Gospel.

Let’s keep in mind the Jackie Hill’s out there who will at some point come to grip with their sin, repent of their sins (to include the homosexual lifestyle they are currently living), accept the free gift of salvation found only in Jesus Christ, and began to walk in the newness of their life in Christ. We are to be ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-19), workers of the harvest (Matt. 9:36-38), who are commissioned to bring the lost to His feet, and build them up to be disciples for the Kingdom of God (Matt. 28:18-20)!

In closing, I want us to walk away, after reading this, continuing to stand for Truth in a way that God is glorified.

Please stand with me in praying for the salvation of the lost  which includes those who will engage in this kiss day and for the safety of Chick-Fil-A stores, employees, and customers.