As sodomites protest, Christians prove they aren’t too chicken to share the Gospel
“Same Sex Kiss” protests are being held at Chick-fil-As across America today, and many Christians are coming to meet them there. But this time the Christians are not just buycotting chicken sandwiches. They’re sharing the Gospel.
Today’s sodomite counter-protest of Chick-fil-A hits two days after the restaurant chain experienced record sales as Christians and conservatives blockbustered their stores. They came out in droves Wednesday across America to show appreciation for the Cathy family’s support of biblical marriage. At American Vision, we had Chick-fil-A food delivered to our office in show of support as well. The tremendous outrage expressed against the restaurant and the Cathy family is shocking, particularly considering that the remarks given by Dan Cathy, president of the popular food chain, were not going on the offensive on the issue at all.
“[W]e’re inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,” said Cathy on a radio show interview. “And I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude that thinks we have the audacity to redefine what marriage is all about.”[1]
He also said, “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 commend the Cathys for their stand in this way and for not being afraid of the public criticism or boycotts it has provoked from celebrities, mayors, and others. In spite of the First Amendment protection of “Free Speech,” the Mayor of Chicago has wrongfully blocked a permit to allow the company to release more stores in his city.
As Gary DeMar wrote: “It’s obvious that the Cathys don’t love money, and if they don’t love money, then they don’t care about having their reputations dragged through the mud by bullies. Their priorities are in the right place. They trust God to supply their needs. If they lost everything tomorrow, the Cathys wouldn’t regret the stand they took or bad mouth their enemies. They would acknowledge the sovereignty of God and move on.”[2]
Should the Government Force Private Employers to Hire Anyone Against Their Beliefs?
As a matter of company policy, however, Chick-fil-A does not refuse to serve anyone as long as they pay for their food. Also, government regulations developed since the Civil Rights Act don’t allow for them to refuse to hire sodomites. Their company’s policy does not allow for them to discriminate against sodomites in hiring.[3] We know for a fact that Chick-fil-A has hired out-of-the-closet sodomites.[4]
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In a biblical society, an employer should be allowed to discriminate on who he hires even where “sexual orientation” is concerned. In such a society, he would not be required to hire a person who is openly engaging in an activity the God’s Word calls not only a sin but also a capital crime. (See Leviticus 20:13.)
I would even argue that under our present U.S. Constitution, employers should be allowed to discriminate against hiring sodomites because that choice should be protected by the First Amendment’s “freedom of religion” clause. If a person believes the Bible teaches that sodomy is a sin and/or a biblical crime, the First Amendment should protect his right to fire or not hire someone publicly living in conflict with that good-faith religious belief.
But sadly even in the recent Republican presidential debates, the only candidate calling for an overturn to the Civil Rights Act, and the government regulation of hiring that comes with it, was Congressman Ron Paul. The Republican primaries are over, but there are still things Christians can do to address this evil and intrusion. The buycott was a good idea that was pulled off with great success. Now another opportunity has presented itself, and some brave Christians are seizing the day.
Taking the Hope of Redemption to the Protesters
Today sodomites are gathering at Chick-fil-As across America—in particular some opening around the country—and staging protests and “Same Sex Kiss” activities around the stores. (As we’ve noted several times on American Vision, implementing God’s criminal laws against sodomy, if biblically carried out, would not lead to the government intruding in everyone’s bedroom, but it would prevent this kind of flagrant and obscene public activity.)
So what do you do when the lost gather themselves and make themselves their own captive audience? Many Christians today are going to be counter-protesting the protesters in a different way today.[5] They are going to take the Gospel to the sodomite protesters at the Chick-fil-As with street preaching, Gospel tracts, and face-to-face witnessing. This is hard-core evangelism in America, and I don’t know that I would recommend it to just anyone. If you’re tied to a desk today or are otherwise unable to join them, please pray for all Christians engaged in this evangelism, that they would be gracious, discreet, protected, and biblically sound as they witness, and that the Holy Spirit would bless them. Let us remember that in terms of eternity, the purest heterosexual sinner is just as much a son of hell without Christ’s atonement as the grossest sodomite.
“I say we show up, buy ‘em sandwiches, [and] share the gospel while they eat,” wrote Dr. Voddie Baucham.
Hanging out with sodomites, sharing the Gospel? The Pharisees asked Jesus why he was mingling with some of the most despised public sinners of their day, and He answered them, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:12-13).
As long as a sinner’s heart is made tender to the Word of God by the work of the Spirit in evangelism, it is fantastic that we should witness to them. Christians should come with bold but not condescending spirits, not to pick a fight, but to throw out a life jacket. I pray that they do, and that God blesses them to bring many in the Kingdom through what is done today.
Beyond today, Dan Cathy says he believes Christians have a witness to all the lost even in the workplace: “Our work should be an act of worship. Our work should be our mission field. As long as we are stateside, let’s don’t think we have to go on mission trips by getting a passport. … If you’re obedient to God you are going to be evangelistic in the quality of the work you do, using that as a portal to share [Christ],” he said.[6]
Because, as we have always believed, the Kingdom of God is not advanced by the tip of the sword, but, with the empowering of God, by the peaceful discussion and living out of truth—the most holy truth found in God’s Word.
Endnotes:
- See The Washington Post’s “Chick-fil-A presient Dan Cathy bites into gay-marriage debate” by Jena McGregor on July 19, 2012 at this link. [↩]
- See “Never Be Chicken about Your Beliefs,” August 2, 2012 on Godfather Politics at this link. [↩]
- See “Chicago: Chick-fil-A Owner to Mayor: We Create Jobs” July 26, 2012 at this link. [↩]
- See, for example, The Huffington Post’s “Chick-fil-A Anti-Gay Controversy: Gay Employees Speak Out” by Lila Shapiro on August 1, 2012 at this link. [↩]
- See “Boycotts or the Gospel?” on The Berean Library at this link. [↩]
- See The Baptist Press’ article “Guilty as Charged” from July 16, 2012 by K. Allan Blume at this link. [↩]
About the Author
Nathaniel Darnell Nathaniel Darnell holds his juris doctorate from Oak Brook College of Law and serves as the Director of Ministry Advancement at American Vision. He is the author of the novel "Glory, Duty, & Gold Dome" and the producer of over 100 commercial videos. Before working as the Director of the Video Department at Vision Forum Ministries for five years, he served for eight years as a legislative aide at the Georgia State Capitol.
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The head of a fast food chain has every right to say that he does not approve of sex between women and women and men and men. He should also expect a reaction, which I’m sure he did, and which of course he got.
Other than that his action is basically stupid!!! The owner of a fast food chain provides food and drinks to a wide spectrum of people, in this case chicken sandwiches. What does it matter who comes in to his places to buy this food as long as they pay their money and don’t cause trouble?!
When did a man who sells food to just about anyone who wants to buy it, eat it, and pay for it become a Moral Theologian? The only thing this accomplished was some temporary publicity for this fast food business, some increased business for all those who don’t like Gays and Lesbians, and probably the loss of revenue from Gays and Lesbians and others in the future who will go elsewhere to get their fast food.
When people go to restaurants (fast food or other) do they really know who in that restaurant is Gay, Lesbian or any other combination of sexual orientation? When people travel on the Interstates do they really care if those other people in Wendy’s are Gay, Lesbian, Bixsexual, Republicans, Democrats, or Methodists?
something that has not been addressed , if you folks take the Bible so literally. Do you ever go out and eat a good old Pork BBq.. how about ham or that Hardees Sausage biscuit….bible says that is wrong…i know loads of good old southern ministers that eat the above about every sunday….how about women ministers….bible says no.. ONe of the greatest ministers around is Joyce Myer. Jacob has 3 wives.. are we all supposed to be sister wives…if one takes the bible literally we would be going back to live like Moses did. I am not Gay and really dont care one way or the other I just think it is highly hypocritical to pick certain passages from the bible that one does not like and and ignore the pork that one does like…/???????? just sayin
I was there in the midst of the moving parking lot on Appreciation Day. Normally, I would feel great angst being in such long lines but Iwas thankful that I could be part of the appreciation that day.
On the day of the sodomites flaunting their affection to one another, I was part of those offering drink and food to those doing this. Chick fil-A employees also came out and gave free food and drink to those protesting. I noticed that all Chick-fil A protesters were happy and smiling (as was I) but all the SADs (sexually abberant deviants) were quite sad and looked even mad. I spoke with all I met at my local Chick fil-A restaurant about Jesus and His love for them. I heard NO ONE condemn or in any way degrade or ridicule any protesters during my 3 hour visit.
These same-sex couple “kiss-ins” should be always photographed! It is different to see them than to just hear about them. It helps to turn off people who tend to be “tolerant.”
This whole affair is good for sharing the Gospel, but I’m afraid the chickens going to protest next. We are eating too many of them!
Good point! God bless Chick Fil A!
Jesus’ Parable about those that will not obey the Lord’s Words and their lot on the day of Judgement: Read Matthew 13: 24-32. Still think it’s Okay to accept Sinners and Sodomites?
St Matthew 13:37-43, 37 “He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are teh children of the Kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them wich do inquity; 42 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the rightous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. The Tares are the so called Gays and Sinners of this world. Let him who have ears hear the truth.
i looked up local Chick-fil-A’s in my area, and so wanted to go to one, but heard 2-3 hour wait times, i’m a “bad example”, i went home and had a few beers. i could make future Wednesdays “Chick-fil-A” days, where i wouldn’t have to wait. i support Mr. Cathy. Mr. Emanuel (mayor of murder city USA) and that little Alderman DWEEB (who will remain nameless in this little rant) can reside in the warmer side of Hell where they profess to choose.
Next time you talk to a homosexual, ask them if they were born that way.
When they say “yes”, tell them that Jesus said you must be born again.
There will be no change until Christians start supporting Christians running for office and until Christians openly challenge any Pastor who preaches the “two world” theory. Romans 13:1–7 has been grievously perverted. The Founding Fathers use the Bible to justify overthrowing their tyrannical government. Christians should be able to use the Bible to emppower them to maintain the government they established.
This is true. The Founding Fathers built a free country based on the Bible. We have the same power today to maintain our freedom, but we must use the same Biblical principles.
Dan Cathy you are my new hero. You stirred up a hornets nest and I wonder if you did this to stir up that hornet nest to bring those unsaved souls to your restaurant to get them saved, if you did, fantastic-amazing-outstanding witnessing tool. However, I don’t think that is why you made your statement but, you made you made your statement because YOU AND YOUR FAMILY love the Lord and believe His word and what it says. However, look at the fantastic witnessing opportunity that this has ultimately been made available to Christians around the Country. Praise GOD for this amazing opportunity and pray for those gays who went to the kissing protest thinking they where going to create havoc and LEFT THEIR AS CHRISTIANS WHO WILL NOW SPENT ETERNITY WITH JESUS, praise the Lord that OUR God moves in mysterious ways and is in the business of saving people, not dragging them hell like satan does. Satan does not care about people, all he wants to do is cause as much pain and sin in a persons life as he can, it’s to bad the unsaved can’t see that, plus satan doesn’t use events such as this for the betterment of people, he doesn’t care about the betterment of people, just the destruction of people.
Nathaniel, thank you for using Biblical language and tone for identifying the morally degenerate sodomite, who are neither “gay” nor “homosexual”. It is essential that Christians honor God by speaking true to His Word.
It’a true the biblical word is sodomite. Matthew or Zecheas the tax collector was a thief and so was Judas. The woman caught in the very act of adultry was an adultress. Jesus didn’t say, “Hey theif come down from that tree or hey whore let me tell you about the love of God. He didn’t say to Judus What’s up traitor? NO–HE CALLED HIM FRIEND!! Did he call the woman at the well who’d had 5 husbands and was currently shacking up a slut? Remember it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us. James and John (the son’s of thunder) wanted to call fire down to kill some sinners. Jesus told them “You do not know what spirit you are of.” That was a polite way of saying they were self righteous and motivated by the devil, not the Holy Spirit. I suggest being more humble in your attitude toward them. Remember it is the goodness of God that leads to repentence. (romans 2:4)
Mike, I understand your position and I agree. However, there is a very important thing that I have learned from American Vision (and the “Christian Reconstruction”). Words ‘Matter’, as do their proper individual definitions. When speaking abstractly and morally (to other christians), we should call it by it’s proper word and definition.
When in everyday with people who are CAUGHT in sin, we use tact. We say what the Spirit requires us to say in that moment, in a spirit of gentleness and love.
Then, as they mature (if they mature) we start talking about the “meat” of the word, rather than just the “milk” (no pun intended).
We must never lose our love & kindness toward those who are not brothers. Nor should we lose our strength and bearing toward the precise dynamics and beliefs of the (true) brotherhood.
Mike, it is interesting to note that God does indeed use harsh language, and even slurs at times. Take a look at Dt. 23:17, 18 for instance and look at who He refers to as ‘dogs’. (Ever notice how dogs greet each other?). Why is this significant? It attaches a stigma to the filthy behavior and warns people away from it. So to use Biblical language is actually to show love for deluded souls. The reason sodomites hijacked the word ‘gay’ was to get rid of the stigma. 1Pt. 4:11 “If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God”.
Amen.
Helen I am sorry, but I believe calling them sodimites is unchristian. I know that is the word in the Bible, but we know what is right, and they know what is wrong. I believe we reach more people by being kind. We can get the message of Jesus without calling names. God bless you
Helen I feel sorry for you To call a rose by any other name does not change the rose, it remains a rose. To call a sodomite any other name does not change them. They remain sodomites.
Give me that “old time religion” not the new junk that obama found in chicago. There is too much of that going on in the country. They were called sodomites by Joshua, Ezekial, Isiah
If the name was good enough for them, who are you and I to change the name.
a large mammal, grey skin, little hair, four HUGE legs with mostly round, flat feet, two large tusks, one either side of a long, flexible proboscis, is called an “elephant”. No matter HOW often, loudly, or excitedly you call it an “ant”, nothing of truth will change. Let us use the appropriate name for any specific thing. God does, in His word. We should follow suit, as we are made in His image.
Those males who abuse other males with their reproductive organs are “sodomites”. Nothing can change that. It would NOT be a kindness to sugar coat, obfuscate, ameliorate, deny, their activity by its proper name. It is a kindness, as Jesus often did, to call people out on the very thing that most offends them. How about that blind beggar at the side of the road? WHAT do you want from me? Or the man with the withered hand… STRETCH that ugly, hideous, thing out in front so we can ALL see. Or that slut at the well in Samaria… you’ve had five husbands and you’re living in sin with another who is not your husband. The list goes on…….. he even “busted” Judas at the Seder table… the one dipping the bread with me now. Or, how about the worst of all… “Lazarus, come forth. You know, the dead guy who is stinking the place up. No, HE never feared to expose the thing most desired to be hidden. Nor should we.
These vile sodomites will not protest down at the local mosque Why Not? The muslims shout from the roof tops of every mosque in the world that they hate queers, gay’s lgbt’ers or whatever the term for today is. But you never see or hear about the lgbt’ers getting offended by the muslim’s hate. The Iranian President Aki Madenijiadi “dont know how to spell Iranian’s name’s”. He announces on the world news stage that queers should be stoned TOO DEATH, burned too death, killed no matter how because being a queer is against muslim islamic religion believes. But no LGBT’ERS protest them. They protest only Christians ask yourself Why? Because they know Christians will not attack them. They also know if they was to pull a kissy kissy protest down at the ole mosque that the muslims would cut their f**k’in heads off. Its all about the vote, muslim’s and queers vote democrap/communist 99.9% of them, so the communist/democraps stand together for the vote. Its OK for Muslim’s to hate gay’s lgbt’ers as long as they vote democrap/communist. “nough said”
Very insightful. Yeah – I would like to see the LGBT commandos do a “Kiss-In” in front of a mosque. Good point.
But muslims in the arab world practice homosexuality. Ove here in mid-east…there is a joke, but it is considered serious…that Thursday is man-love Thursday because they come together in homosexual intercourse. As practicing muslims, they are just as hipocrytical in this activity as they are in denying the Quran which stated they should read the Tora & Gospels. Anyway, as encouraging as that may sound in your comment….let’s not forget that whatever they are saying(in Arabic) is more of a threat then edification to their believers. Also….the peace loving Muslim’s you think you see in U.S. are not true Muslim’s per the faith that is being practiced in the mid-east. Muslim men will take young boys for sexual pleasure. As will they marry very very young girls who will eventually bare them children. To an arab muslim… men are for pleasure….women are for breeding. Anything else practiced outside of that…well appears to be out of the norm according to their standards.
God bless & Jesus saves!!!
I agree with your comments . What they want us to believe and what they practice are two totally different aspects of their actions. They trully do not practice what they preach.Of course they can say and do what ever they please aslong as it is for the glory of ALLAH!
Queers is a good term. Sodomites is better. And you’re right, they’re probably Communists as well.
LOL I love it- that is just what I would do if I had a Chick Fil-A near me. Buy some food, and go hang out with the protesters and share the love of God with them. That is just what Jesus did all of the time. As a person who has had many opportunities to get to know homosexuals, most of their steam is from being rejected. If they are not rejected, they run out of gas and can be quite nice in many cases.
I had to take several deep breaths while reading this hate-filled garbage. This is not a christian or biblical country and you need to get over that. Everyone is entitled to the same rights as you, whether they are gay, atheist, a woman’s rights supporter, black or hispanic. Hate filled message.
?
? is RIGHT…maybe she was mad because the word SODOMITE was used. a good way to witness is to tell homosexuals, that we are ALL SINNERS.. HEY GOD even hates the SIN OF FORNICATION AND PORNOGRAPHY which many people are into. I also believe the ‘political homosexuals’ wouldnt have got as far as they had if CHRISTIANS didnt fornicate, and keep their marriages together–I worry about homosexuals the most: they have a greater tendency to get bad diseases and trust ‘latex’ to keep them safe–lesbians not as much..We just need to pray and FAST for both. Jesus said there are some prayers that only work THROUGH FASTING
Providence—If I get you’re drift I guess it’s hateful to agree with God that sodomy is wrong and should be rejected?
Some people just don’t know the difference between right or wrong. God gave us sex for a reason. it was not to poke fun at the same sex.
God has blessed the Cathy family and Chick-fil-A with free publicity and got the devil to do it for him. it is funny how God turn evil into good.
I know right! Irony!
As a small business Owner (what does the word “owner” mean?) it has always stuck in my craw that I do not have total control of who I choose to allow behind MY counter and into my personal persuit-of-happiness back rooms. BUT this article made the anger subside for a moment as I seem to have forgotten that God can even use evil for good in this arena. Thank you for sharing this perspective. I should know better.
I know this is tired, but here goes anyway: All liberals believe in free speech…………….as long as you agree with them. If you viewpoint differs, look out!
It’s totally what I think and experienced in all my life, especially in politics, you even may say liberals and socialists.
I support traditional marriage but will not get into a “war of words” with anyone. We are called to “love the sinner, hate the sin”. Furthermore, we are also not to judge (see Matthew 7:1). I can’t patronize a restaurant due to no Chick-Fil-A anywhere near the Seattle area (the closest one is over in Idaho – over 300 miles away.) So far it appears that this is somewhat civil, with no violence or arrests (unless I missed something?)
@ David – can you tell me where in the Bible it tells us to love the sinner, but hate the sin? Do you remember what Jesus did in the temple when they were using it as a house for moneychangers? Do you remember what Jesus called the Pharisees? He was not tolerant of the sinners and their sin. He said to be discerning and not to even eat with the sinners, because we might be persuaded to fall into their sin and condone it. We do need to evangelize them, but we must also be careful about the “love the sinner” thing. God loves the sinner, but God doesn’t tell us to take on that role. That belongs to Him alone.
according to psalm 5:5, God hates the sinner as well as the sin…..remember, God, in His holy wrath, sends sinners to hell for eternity….that is not love but it is just
Now the Cathy’s family needs to follow the 4th commandment and promote closeing the restaurants from sundown to sundown Fri and Sat. instead of following Sun. worship day closeing and they will be real Christians per the words of our Lord Christ about doers of the WHOLE word and not just talkers.
Which Covenantal system do you wish Christians (Messiahtains) to worship under, the Old or New? The Ten (Moses) or The Two commandments (Jesus)? Did Jesus fulfill The Law (and the Prophets) or not? If it has not All been fulfilled then every jot and tittle are still in full force and you can ask about the 4th commandment. There is no other way to look at Matt. 5:17-18. Keeping ‘The Ten’ is not well enough if it has not been all fulfilled, we must keep all of the hundreds of Law (and prophets), looking for a future Judgements of the Blessings and Curses of “The Mosaic Law and the Book of The Prophets”.
Thank you, Brother Les. You are right on target. I, personally, shut down as much as possible by 6 pm on Saturday evening, to prepare, and so that my heart will not be filled with worldly thoughts when we attend worship the next morning. Sabbath is good; the Lord’s Day is better.
Brother Les,
You are off at several points.
First, Jesus said “On these two commandments *depend* all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40) When talking to a Jewish lawyer (one who handled the Law of Moses) Jesus asks him, “‘What is written in the Law? How do you read it?’ And he [the lawyer] answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he [Jesus] said to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.’” (Luke 10:26-28) Paul, writing in Romans 13:9 says, “The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are *summed up* in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Clearly, Jesus is not substituting two laws for the Ten Commandments (which are fleshed out in the rest of Scripture) he is summarizing the law into two commandments: love the Lord (keeping the first “table”) and love your neighbor (keeping the second “table”).
Second, you have a misunderstanding of the meaning of the word “fulfill”. For instance, James says, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.” (James 2:8) Paul says, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Rom. 13:10) Clearing “fulfill” does not mean abolish or nullify here, but rather, as Webster’s 1828 puts it “To accomplish; to perform; to complete.” Indeed “fulfill” cannot mean “abolish” for Jesus Himself said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matt. 5:17) Christ indeed “accomplished, performed and completed” the requirements of the Law, that we could not keep. But as He himself says, the Law remains: as condemnation to sinners, and sanctification for God’s people. Again, Rom. 8:3-4 “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, *in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us*”. If we are in Christ, and becoming more like Him, we are becoming more righteous and thus more able to keep the law. “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:19) The Pharisees were condemned by Jesus for relaxing the true Law of God and substituting their own: “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:9-13) James calls the Law of God, “the perfect law, the law of liberty” (James 1:25).
“For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matt. 5:18) Which means that the Law has not passed away since “all” has not yet been “accomplished” that is, “to complete; to finish entirely.” If the argument is that Christ “accomplished all” on the Cross, then one must ask, why did the NT writers uphold the Law? “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.” (Rom. 3:31) “Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient” (1 Tim. 1:8-9).
Isaac,
In all due respect, I believe you have missed some other parts of the Bible. While I cannot and won’t argue that what you have said is “wrong”, I can point out some other parts of the Bible. We cannot throw these scriptures out or ignore them – the Bible is the Word of God is it not? So what you have said must also be reconciled with the following: (please note that I hate to pull out quotes out of their context, however, there are times one must. All from the NASB)
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Rom 7:4-6 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, ……. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
Gal 3:10-13
Gal 3:23-…… Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Gal 5:2-6
Gal 5:13-14
2 Cor 3:14-17
There seems to have always been some who teach that Christians should be back under the Law or make the Law necessary for both salvation and sanctification. As a result large sections of the New Testament seem to be written directly to this issue – Acts 15 comes to mind as well as the book of Galatians. Hebrews seems to deal with the Law as saying it was only temporary.
If one fulfills something – I suppose it does not “destroy” it. However, there is a major and distinct change. If one fulfills a debt – that debt no longer is active, shall we say. If we fulfill any other obligation, that obligation is no longer “active”. The record of it is there – but the original “contract” has been fulfilled – I will lend you some money, you will pay me back with certain conditions, upon complete payment and fulfillment of conditions, the debt is no longer. This would be considered a bilateral covenant, and one made specifically for you and me alone. Unless agreed to by all parties, no part of the agreement can be changed, channeled or reassigned elsewhere. Some of the various types of Laws, Covenants, and Promises seem to be bilateral while some appear to be unilateral. By their very nature, many of these Laws, Covenants, and Promises probably could not be obeyed to the letter by any other people at any other time.
If we are referring to the Mosaic Law only, it is commonly divided into three parts – The Moral Law or the Ten Commandments, the Social Law, and the Ceremonial Law. Of the three the Social and the Ceremonial appear to be given to Israel only and to be used at that time – bilaterally. But the Moral Law seems to be universal and seems to be unilateral – this is what you should do. The Moral Law (Ten Commandments) did set forth moral principles which were and are still applicable and should be used as a standard of right and wrong. It is apparently very important that one must remember that they are commandments and not suggestions.
Mike,
You raise some good points here, but I don’t believe that what I said is inconsistent with the Scripture you mentioned.
Obviously, we do not believe that the law is God’s means of salvation, or justification. However, with sanctification, if we do away with the Law of God, how does one know whether we are being sanctified? Sanctification is becoming more like Christ, but that means becoming more righteous, more able to abide by the commands of God, which we were unable to keep, but which Christ kept perfectly.
The law is the standard of righteousness. Before conversion, the Law is a curse, the penalty of death hangs over us. But in Christ, we are justified because of Him, and empowered by the Spirit to sanctification. You bring up Rom. 6:14, well in the verse right before, Paul urges, “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you” why? “since you are not under law [as a death penalty] but under grace.” Before, without the grace of Christ, sin had dominion over us, but now it does not because of the grace of Christ. This passage isn’t juxtaposing law and grace, but the unregenerate and those regenerated by Jesus Christ. Paul then asks, (v. 15) “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” If you are sinning you are breaking the law. If you are not sinning, because of God’s grace, than you are keeping the law – “For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” (v. 19) If saying “we are not under law but under grace” means that the law is no more, than Paul has contradicted himself and the rest of the NT, since in 3:13 he says, “we uphold the law.”
It is well-understood among Christians that the ceremonial rituals and system of worship pointed to Christ’s work on the Cross, and therefore were made obsolete with His coming, death and resurrection. That is why the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD. But since God does not change, His covenant law does not change.
As to separating the law into moral and social laws, I don’t think we can make this distinction, since the Ten Commandments are fleshed out and applied in the case laws (what you call the social law). The case laws are applications of the Ten Commandments. If the Ten Commandments remain, why would their application disappear? James 2:14-18 tells us that we are to apply the Word of God, for “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Also, these laws were not to “national Israel” only, since ethnic Israel was never the covenant people, but the Bible makes it clear that His covenant, and thus His covenant law, was to those who were God’s elect people by faith (Rom 9; Hebrews 8-9; I Peter 2:9-10; Heb 11), thus the distinction between Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, etc. The church is now the spiritual embodiment of Jerusalem, because they are where Christ dwells, as in the Old Covenant God dwelled physically in the Temple, which was destroyed because of Israel’s rejection of Christ, and the inclusion of the Gentiles into the Kingdom.
Almost always when we see passages in the Bible that discuss the law in a way that appears as if the NT is “abolishing” the law, which would be a huge contradiction, the Apostles are really dealing with issues of the Jews wanting to continue the Old system of sacrifice and rituals (as in Acts 15), despite the “once-for-all” sacrifice of Christ, and using the Old system as a means to continue the division between Jew and Gentile, and perpetuate the assumption that ethnic Israel was the true people of God.
The book of Hebrews is not talking about the passing away of the Law, but rather it is showing how the Old Covenant has passed away and how it pales in comparison to the New Covenant in Christ. It says in Heb. 8:6-10 “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second… For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” This covenant, while rendering the Old Covenant temple system obsolete, includes the unchanging law of God.
In Gal 5:2-6, which you brought up, Paul is concerned with those who were forcing the continued practice of circumcision, replaced by Baptism in the New Covenant. Paul calls them “you who would be *justified* by the law” (v. 4) This is an impossibility and it denies the saving power of Christ, that is what Paul is referring to when he calls it a “yoke of slavery” (v. 1). But this is not a description of the law itself, for as John tells us, “this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:2-3) Later on in the same passage in Galatians, Paul says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Gal 5:13-14) We were called to freedom. When we are in sin we are slaves to sin, and trying to earn salvation is also a “yoke of slavery.” True freedom is freedom in Christ, freedom from sin (lawlessness) and death (the just penalty of sin), which comes when we submit to Christ in faith, and become “slaves of righteousness” in obedience to His Law-Word. Again, “The commandments… are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Rom. 13:9) To “love your neighbor” is meaningless if the law is gone.
To ignore the case laws is to relegate Christianity to a place where it is relevant only to the individual and ecclesiastical matters, though not even consistently so. As Gary DeMar pointed out in an interview with Crown Rights Media, how does the modern church know bestiality is wrong? It is not repeated in the New Testament, and it isn’t even mentioned in the Ten Commandments, it is a part of the case laws that flesh out the law. In order to say that bestiality is wrong, you have to apply a part of the law that many say is only for Israel.
Pray that God will pour out his Spirit today and that some will come to know Christ Jesus today in front of those chick-fil-a restaurants; and that they will be encouraged to step forth and proclaim their salvation. What a mighty testimony they could be for the country!
God is pouring out his spirit, upon a lot of people who believe that Chick-Fil-A has been unfairly attacked. And I’ve been pouring out the ketchup over my Chick-Fil-A ripple-cut fries and spicy chicken sandwich. I think I’ve hit 3 locations so far, and the numbers of people I’ve seen have been incredible, long lines everywhere. This kind of support is what the lamestream media needs to see and repot upon. However, it’ll take backsheet in the papers and not a mention in the news, as they are so pathetically Democrat-Liberal that they can’t stand to see what the heart of Americans truly is.
It’s been so good to see somebody in the public eye who has the nerve to tell it like it is about these homosexual freaks who insist on pushing their agenda on normal people. Most politicians are either Democrats who are out and out advocates of their lifestyle and agenda or cowardly Republicans who refuse to stand up to these freaks. Good for the Cathy family and the Chick Fil A company for doing what is right.
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SODOMITES DON’T HURT MY CHICKEN, YOU CAN REST THE HENNY PENNIES AND THE COCKY LOCKIES ARE POURING OVER THE EMPLOYEES LISTS LOOKING FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE TO CREATE A COMMUNIST STUNT. DID YOU SEE THE GIRL AT THE DRIVE UP WINDOW?
YOU COULD SEE THIS GIRL’S HEARTRATE CLIMB AS THAT SLIMEBALL BULLY BERATED HER. SHE WAS FULL OF LOVE. TOTALY PROFESSIONAL. STAYED ON MENU.
ALL FOR A JOB THAT SHE NEEDS. THAT BUM THREATENED HER LIVELY HOOD.
THE HOMO LENINISTS EXPLOIT THE INNOCENT. NUMBER ONE COMMUNIST RULE.
CONVINCE THE MAJORITY THEY ARE THE MINORITY.GOD BLESS CHICKEN FIL A AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO NEED A JOB.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN SINGING MY CHICK FIL A HYMN
GOD BLESS CHICK FIL A, THE RESTUARANT THAT I LOVE.
FROM BORDER TO BORDER THEY TAKE YOUR ORDER
WITH THE LIGHT THAT SHINES FROM ABOVE.
FROM THE FRENCH FRIES TO THE BURGERS
WITH 32 OZ SHAKES FILLED WITH SUGAR FOAM.
GOD BLESS CHICK FIL A MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME
YOU CAN GET SUNDAES ON MONDAYS SUCH FANTASTIC DEALS
THE WAITERS WILL JOIN YOU IN GRACE BEFORE MEALS
Great Job! keep it up Carl
Dan Cathy and the Cathy family have proclaimed their love for God and have witnessed for him, and God has blessed them in their increased business twofold.