Chick-Fil-A and Service

"I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.” Amos 5:21-24 (Micah 6:6-8)

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (1 Tim 6:18)

“having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”1 Peter 2:12

   If you keep up with news at all, whether online, TV, Facebook, or otherwise, you know that the President of Chick-Fil-A has opened a political firestorm recently through some comments about the political agenda to redefine marriage.  Since his comments the internet has buzzed with support on one side, and with gnashing opposition from the homosexual community.  Many of you have showed your own support on Facebook through ‘likes’ and ‘shares.’  In similar fashion, an op-ed piece submittedby Samaritan’s Purse leader, Franklin Graham, to the Washington Post, has rekindled opposition also.  Graham’s piece advocated Christian groups to address the HIV/Aids pandemic like Christ ministered to the lepers of his time.  Our culture will certainly persecute or oppose the expression of Biblical values because it conflicts with their own desires.  How should we respond?

   Jesus did not lead with his views of what constituted sin, and demands for holiness.  Neither did he teach a perfect life before (or after) salvation and we should not either.  Instead He taught us to lead with good works, love, and the gospel.  We were called to care for the helpless, advocate for those with no voice, and do good works.  Then as the world looks at the selfless works we do, they ask, “Why would anyone do these acts to which they gain no benefit?”  A door is then opened for the gospel.  Then once the gospel is heard and believed, the Holy Spirit will continue to help us remove sins (stumbling blocks) from our lives. 

These organizations have done a lot of good, and are good examples overall.  Their excessive opposition is partly in response to the deficiency of Christian service in the United States.  If we had shown them the love commanded us, the accusers would come to nothing as Peter said.  We must return to the good works modeled by Jesus.  Christian cannot be just a label for a comfortable, church attender.