Chick-fil-A is a popular American fast food chain whose president, Dan Cathy, also happens to be a Christian. Biblical values permeate its 1,600+ restaurants which are always closed on Sunday. Chick-fil-A also started the WinShape Foundation, which provides college scholarships, foster care programs, and marriage enrichment ministries.
That leads to the recent media frenzy surrounding Chick-fil-A. Cathy supports traditional, heterosexual marriages. When his position became public, many people accused him of homophobia and vowed to boycott his restaurants. The mayor of Boston announced that he would not allow a Chick-fil-A to open in his city, and even the owners of the Muppets said the restaurant chain could no longer use their toys for store promotions.
It’s not surprising that supporters of gay marriage think Dan Cathy is guilty of hatred and intolerance, for that label has been hung on Christians since the beginning. Most people think Jesus was meek and mild, but the religious leaders of His day told Pilate, “He is causing riots by His teaching wherever He goes” (Luke 23:5).
The apostle Paul was chased and stoned by fellow Jews, for they assumed that his message threatened the dominance of their religion and its role in society. When Paul finally made it to Rome, he invited its Jewish leaders to meet and learn about Jesus. They replied that while they had not heard anything bad about Paul, they knew that the movement he led was “denounced everywhere” (Acts 28:22). Paul didn’t give up, but he “explained and testified about the kingdom of God . . . from morning until evening. Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe” (Acts 28:23-24).
It hurts to be misunderstood, but we must never stop loving people, especially when they’re sure we don’t.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 5:1-39
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 to learn how to respond when you’re treated unfairly.
Next:
Who has misjudged your character or faith? How does God want you to respond?
tom felten on June 25, 2013 at 8:11 am
Thanks, Mike. This is a good reminder to love as Jesus loved—not compromising on sin, but speaking the truth in love.
mike wittmer on June 25, 2013 at 1:02 pm
A pastor asked me yesterday how we can speak to this topic without sounding like we’re hateful. After reflection, I think the key is to not single this sin out but to speak positively about the many ways God wants us to flourish. There may be times when we are forced to take a stand, but then we can say that we are speaking out now because someone else has forced the issue.
winn collier on July 3, 2013 at 5:44 pm
Mike, if I could ask a tangential question – how do you think the Church should go about (especially in these public arenas) being self-reflective about those times when we are full of strife rather than speaking ‘truth in love’ (i.e. perhaps pursuing truth but in a way disconnected from the way Jesus modeled)?
alli on July 4, 2013 at 1:01 pm
For some reason people feel that hate is not a biblical principle if God hates divorce there are things that He hates prejudice and pride but doesnt God hate sin or is that in the bible. He does not hate people but actions God does hate