Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For it is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…”
I’m not a Duck Dynasty fan. Shock! That’s almost heresy these days! I watched an episode…and just didn’t get into it. I’m not a fan of reality tv..but that’s ok. This is America and I’m allowed to have preferences on what I watch and what I don’t! I do, however, have great respect for the Robertson family. From day one, they have put their faith in Jesus Christ on display for the world to see. They are not ashamed of the Gospel and they have been pointing the Way for anyone who will listen. Kudos!
Now for the controversy. Patriarch Phil Robertson said some “things” in an interview with GQ Magazine that have been deemed controversial. And…he’s consequently been fired from A&E’s Duck Dynasty programming. As a Christian, I don’t think anything he said was all that controversial. However, the debate is RAGING today! Christians throwing the Bible at the heads of Gay and Lesbian Activists…Atheists defaming the God I adore…it’s really quite a scene.
On one hand, I’m very proud of Phil for standing up for what he believes in…for standing up for truth found in God’s Word (He quoted I Corinthians 6:9…which incidentally lists more than just homosexuality.) He was not and is not ashamed.
But on the other hand…was there wisdom in his methods? Here’s where the rubber meets the road! Could this whole thing have been handled differently? More specifically, “Is the debate that is raging today pointing people TOWARD God or AWAY from God?” Yes! Christians are getting some great press-time today. But is it accomplishing anything?
Jesus in Matthew 7 – the Sermon on the Mount – said, “Don’t judge” and when you read it in context, he was talking to Jews who kept nit-picking each other over useless religious rules. He said to “Knock it off!” and then he concluded that segment with, “Don’t give what is holy to unholy people. Don’t give pearls to swine! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you!”
My story is that I used to be a “playa!” My mission in life was to impress girls and get them into bed. Know what magazine I subscribed to (besides Maxim!)? GQ. How to dress. How to impress. It doesn’t take much figuring to understand that GQ isn’t going to align themselves with a Christian world view. “They want to talk to me? And let me talk about Jesus?!” Smells like a set-up. Jesus could handle set-ups pretty well. Not me. Was Phil “sinning” by doing an interview with GQ? No. But was Jesus right that if you throw your pearls before swine they will trample them and then turn and attack you? Sure looks like it.
Think on this: Was Phil’s influence better served being a good, moral example ON Duck Dynasty? Or spearheading a debate that quickly got twisted around to make Christians look like hate-filled bigots? My Christian friends, we are on this earth to shine our light and let the broken-hearted and hopeless people know that there is a God who loves them so much that He sent His Son to make things right! All around us are sinners acting like sinners. Homosexuals are being homosexuals. Drunkards are being drunk. Adulterers are tearing families apart. Lives are being ruined. Hearts are being broke!
We MUST recognize that Paul wrote his letters to CHRISTIANS who said they wanted HOPE in Jesus! They wanted “love, joy, peace, patience, etc” and knew it could be found in Christ! They dedicated their lives to and for Jesus! Paul said, “Ok. Here’s how: Here’s what you need to do to protect your heart and live into the Eternal Purpose for which you were created. And here are the things that will distract and ultimately lead to death!”
Friends, that is where sin ends: misery and death. We don’t need to tell the sinner they’re miserable! If they aren’t already – they will be! They need to see in us the Hope of Salvation. They need to see us and say, “Wow! If I could, I’d be like them.” Not because of our money or fame…but because the light that is burning within us is spilling out and showing the whole world that there is something better! And when they ask, We say “Jesus!”
Notice Jesus never said, “Matthew you vile, corrupt tax collector (as big as sin back then as homosexuality is looked at today). Quit what you’re doing and then come follow my rules.” No! He said, “Follow me.” No stipulation. No condemnation. Only an invitation.
Christians have two schools of thought today: Condone or Condemn. It’s neither. It’s love.
Thanks for reading my blog. You can hear more of my thoughts on this in a message I spoke to the GNCC Racin’ Nation on September 21, 2013 at the Foxberg, PA race. (Click below or download on iTunes under “Chuck Lemaster: Most Famous Verse”)
10 Seconds With Chuck Lemaster 
Extremely well said Chuckle Master!!! Can’t wait for you to post more of these. Excellent, excellent read.
So how would you have answered GQ’s question, my friend?
Fair question! And if you read the whole article, the author takes a rather neutral tone and lets Phil have it his way. It’s actually not a bad article if you overlook some language (by the author – not Phil!). Phil is outspoken for what he believes…which is exactly what I believe! The difference might be “approach.” When I look at Jesus, I see that the only people he offended were the religious ones. Sinners were always attracted and welcomed. I want to be like Jesus! This whole incident has been “food for thought” to make me think: Does my dogmatism attract, or detract? What do I say when people ask me, “What is sin?” (That’s the question Phil was asked.) Sin is rebellion against God. It’s me telling my Creator that I know better than Him. It’s me falling for the old lie that God is holding out on me and so I better do it my way. Let me tell you! My way ended in disaster! I’m so happy to be living for God and doing it His way. Thanks Linden!
Fair answer, Chuck But, given GQ’s secularist bent, I will always wonder if the oral question, “Is homosexuality sin?” became, “What is sin?” in print. In the end, merely telling people the truth of Scipture is neither judgemental or condemning. The Word does that for itself. In fact, with a loving, tactful, attitude and approach, it may be the most loving thing Christ-followers can do. If we believe it is true. Blessings, friend.
Love seeing you branch out. I feel like I’m sitting under a tent by the creek at Loretta’s listening to you. Keep it up my friend.
Hi Chuck, I really enjoyed your Blog. I struggle with this a lot. My extended family, who claims to be holier than now, only condemns others. Christians would be more effective if we loved everyone, rather than judge. Do you care if I repost your blog on my blog? http://www.asplayzone.com?
Hi Tammy – of course, re-post!
Too often I see Christians engage in arguments for the sake of proving a point instead of assessing the situation with Spiritual maturity and deciding if what they have to say will push them further away from God. You are right on target, Chuck. Our words do not have the power to convict, therefore we should leave that to the Spirit. I like the verses in I Corinthians 2 how we know and understand spiritual things because they have been revealed to us because the Spirit is in us…”But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB) No amount of judging, arguing or shouting will convict or reveal truth like only the Spirit can. Preach, on Brother!
Our problem today is that our freedom of speech is being torn apart, especially if you are a Christian. I read the whole interview that GQ did with Phil and there was not one bit of condemnation toward anyone. He was only stating what he believed and his convictions. He was asked and had the fortitude to say what exactly he believed. Very few of us have this ability. Most are trying not to offend to keep from getting ridiculed. I believe sin is sin no matter what form it is in although ,immoral sins are looked upon by society (and Christians) differently. Example: Someone that commits mast murder is ridiculed (judged) more than someone that forgets to pray for their neighbor. Sin is sin but we stress the murder act and inform everyone it is wrong to do these things. Some things need to be pointed out directly. Has nothing to do with hating the person but hating the acts of sin that that is committed. I love the person that is in prison for the murder he or she has committed, but hate the sin of murder . That’s not judging, it’s just what God said was wrong. So when someone asks you ,” What is your stance on an issue?”, and you DON’T tell them exactly how you feel or believe, it then all becomes a lie, which is a sin. Is that as bad as murdering someone?
Would anyone get kicked off a TV network for pointing out that someone told a little white lie? I don’t think so. That’s what is wrong with this country today. People think that there is nothing wrong with anything now. It’s because they haven’t been told that it is wrong. That is not judging, IT’S JUST THE FACTS, JACK. We need a lot more Phils and a lot less PC in this world.
You bring up valid points and I’m definitely perturbed that his comments have been twisted and that he’s being punished for stating truth. Since many people smarter than me already wrote blogs about all that – talking heads on tv covered that pretty well, too. I just got to thinking, “How does this apply to me and what lesson can I take from it?” When someone asks me, “Do you believe homosexuality is a sin?” I answer, “Most definitely! As is sleeping with a woman you’re not married to or looking at porn…and I’m guilty of both. Thank God he rescued me! I was living my way and becoming miserable…that’s just what living apart from the Creator does!” Anyway…I hope the delivery of my message shines for Jesus. Thanks for the input – miss you at the races!
Such an inspirational way to put it, I would love to for once get on my news feed and be able to see people getting along instead of judging every one. (Even though I know that will probably never happen). If people would sit back and look at all the good God can do through their lives they would be less worried about everyone else’s life. It’s amazing how you can see and feel the transformation from being a teen to an adult although some never fully mature. In high school I probably would have wasted my time getting upset about people being against homosexuality, but now I know, ” Who am I to judge anyone? God doesn’t sit there and judge all the things that I do wrong. He loves me unconditionally.” However, I was super glad to read your blog it made my day. I’m counting down the days until dirt bike church(:
True – God does love is unconditionally…loves us so much that he sent his own son to DIE for us because there IS going to be judgement one day. We can’t take control of our lives and say, “Hey God, thanks for loving me and now I’m going to go do what I want to do.” God is in heaven saying, “No child! I created you for so much more than that! Accept my son. Surrender to him.” And when we surrender, we repent. In my life that looked like, “God I give up. I want you to be Lord of my life. I’ll do it your way.” At the time, I was really stuck on chasing beautiful women…but by God’s grace and the strength He gives…I’ve turned from that and have saved myself since that day for my future wife. (8 years!) I might never get married…but I’m still surrendered to God and doing it his way. I have peace, joy, contentment. And there will be a day when God looks at each of us and says, “Did you accept my son? Did you repent so that I can cast the penalty for your rebellion onto him? Or is this judgement day for you?” Something to think about! See you at the track!