To all who are connected with the different social medias, the latest issue has to do with our “Duck Dynasty” friends, particularly the father of the whole clan, Phil Robertson, who has been censured by a certain television company for his remarks about “human sexuality issues.”  There has been a whole raft of messages, tweets, and e-mails all running rampant pro and con.  There are comments about the liberal media and from those who take a literal translation of the Bible and say that certain people—by their personal actions or choices or DNA—will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.  The spectrum of opinion is pretty wide in this instance.

Who’s right and who’s wrong in this issue?  Isn’t this a free country where freedom of speech is a tremendous privilege for us all?  Or, is there some portions of our society who are immune from their words that criticize (however positively or negatively) while others are not allowed under any circumstances the right to share their opinions.  What is politically correct in this situation?  Or, is the sky the limit about trying to educate others about politics, society, or religion?

I would like to take a shot at this.  I say we’re all wrong.  Mr. Robertson’s whole message to CG Magazine was to say that the whole world lives in sin and that our truest call is to love everyone regardless of who they are.  To remove someone from their role on a TV program because their interpretation of the Bible offends others is totally against the right to free speech. In the same way someone can complain about such an opinion, yet still, doesn’t the one sharing the opinion have the same right?  Censorship used this way only creates disharmony.

Also, for Mr. Robertson to carry beyond the interpretation and offer a definite judgment (people who are this way will not inherit the Kingdom of God)—in other words—to say that such folks are going to hell, is also wrong.  All sin and fall short of the glory to God (Romans 3) and because of that, we must fall on the mercy of a higher court.  In the psalm chosen for Christmas Eve, Psalm 96, it ends with the idea that talks about God as a judge who would decide the world’s fate in His own way of righteousness.

The point being, God is judge, not you or me.  In Matthew 7:1, our Lord makes it clear about judgment.  However we choose to judge others, we will be judged.  Our call, therefore, is not to judge, but to love and respect our neighbors as we might think of and respect ourselves.

So with the matter at hand, we need to realize that each side of the issue leads us into a sad situation of being wrong.   Whether we like it or not, we’re all losers.  We’re all sinners.  No one is better than another.

Maybe we should first think on this before offering an opinion, some advice, or even a condemnation.  The world and everything we have is God’s.  We’re here because the owner has let us be here, and we best be as kind and compassionate to one another as we can be.  Why fight?  Why argue?  Certainly robust conversation and honest discussion can lead to great wisdom, but when sinful human agendas get involved, watch out!

Trust God; open our hearts; respect our neighbors; then, we will get things done that need to get done.

Remember that God loves you and so do we!

Pastor Jim