From His Heart - Week of August 3

Chick-Fil-A, Chicago and America

 

Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.  -Luke 13:3

 

Dan Cathy of Chick-fil-A is a sold-out Christian who stands up for God and His Word.  His business is second to none.  He speaks the truth in love ... and for that he is being vilified as a hate monger and anti-American.  Amazing. 

 

Here is what Rahm Emanuel, the Mayor of Chicago recently said:  “Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values. They’re not respectful of our residents, our neighbors and our family members. And if you’re gonna be part of the Chicago community, you should reflect Chicago values,” Emanuel said Wednesday. 

 

Chicago Alderman, Joe Morena, added this:  “Same sex marriage, same-sex couples — that’s the civil rights fight of our time. To have those discriminatory policies from the top down [Dan Cathy on down] is just not something that we’re open to. …We want responsible businesses.” 

 

So, it seems Dan Cathy’s biblical values regarding marriage are irresponsible and out of touch with the people of Chicago.  Hmmm.       

 

WHAT DOES GOD SAY?

 

When it comes to values, the ones that count are God’s.  God defines marriage and morality, right and wrong.  Without question, a person or a society can choose to reject God and His out-of-date standards … but the Bible gives clear warnings about the consequences associated with doing so. “For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You” (Psalms 73:27).  

 

Sodom and Gomorrah rejected God’s moral code, and it didn’t go so well for them.  Their smoking ruins serve as an example to those who want to follow in their footsteps. 

 

“… and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter …”   2 Peter 2:6

 

CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH?

  

God LOVES people, all people … no matter what terrible things they have done.  Jesus died for everyone, and His blood can wash clean “the vilest offender who truly believes.”  But there is something we MUST understand about God: 

 

He does not and will not embrace sin, whatever that sin may be.  

 

There can be no salvation without repentance – turning away from sin and self, and turning to the Lord.  Jesus said, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." 

 

America desperately needs to repent and turn back to God and His standards of right and wrong before it is too late.  We are on a collision course with judgment as we arrogantly try to rewrite the moral standards for our nation. 

 

Alexis de Tocqueville, the great French historian and political thinker of the 1800’s, visited America in the 1830’s on a mission to discover the secret of her greatness.  The following insightful comment has been attributed to him:

 

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there … in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there … in her rich mines and her vast world commerce - and it was not there … in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great. 

 

If we repent, we will find the grace, forgiveness and healing of God.  If we don’t …

 

 

Love,

Pastor Jeff Schreve

From His Heart Ministries