Are You Controversial?
Be Strong, Be Well — Friday, July 16, 2021
How would we answer if someone asked us, "As a Christian, are you controversial?" We would have to answer, "Yes!"
A group of lawmakers is trying to stop Chick-fil-A from opening restaurants along a major toll road because they say Chick-fil-A and its founders "have a long and controversial history."
So what is so controversial? Chick-fil-A is owned by a family who believes in Christian principles and whose stores are closed on Sundays. Their official corporate purpose is "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A."
Oh, by the way, opponents of Chick-fil-A say, "...for years they have given millions in donations to organizations hostile to LGBTQ+ rights." There's the catch! Anyone today who objects to same-sex marriage and other homosexual so-called "rights," transgenderism, transsexualism, etc., is controversial. LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and the plus sign includes any other deviant behavior they can think up.
We may be controversial to some, but we love people and want them to be saved. As we guard against sin ourselves, we try to tell others the necessity of doing the same. It’s a matter of spiritual life or death.
As Paul said, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Take note of the very next verse! "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (6:11).
No matter what people say about us, no matter what they call us, stand up for God and His truth. "Blessed (happy) are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:10–12). —Chris