SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                  1029

“The Hatred of the World”

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. (John 15:18)

In 2012 opposition mounted against Dan Cathy, President of the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain for standing firm in his faith and speaking the truth of God’s Word from his heart.

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that … I may hear of you that you are standing firm… and not frightened in anything by your opponents. – Phil 1:27

At that time Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno stated publically “Because of this man’s ignorance, I will deny Chick-fil-A a permit to open a restaurant in my ward”. Further east, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino sent a letter to Mr. Cathy stating that there was “no place” for Chick-fil-A in the city. Thank God that both Moreno and Menino’s threats are still illegal in this country.

In recent news, Chick-fil-A opened its largest restaurant in the world in New York. The headline in the New Yorker publication referred to this event as a ‘Creepy Infiltration of New York City’. The article goes on to criticize and demonize the public and prominent display of Biblical Christian values by Dan Cathy and the Chick-fil-A Corporation.

In this land of free speech, how is it that only viewpoints that align with current politically correct liberal norms are allowed and all else is considered hate speech and to be censored?  Have you noticed how intolerant those who profess to be tolerant are?

A south Florida teacher banned a fifth grader from reading his Bible during free reading time. This also happened in a Detroit school. A Phoenix Arizona Pastor served a 60-day sentence and paid a $12000 fine for zoning violations because he hosted a bible study at his home. In Arizona all references to the Bible are banned from the school system citing that the book is biased in favor of the Jewish people. Christian bakeries have been sued for refusing to bake cakes that violate their Christian values and beliefs.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Will you stand firm in your faith when the opportunity arises?  Is there enough evidence in your place of work or neighborhood circle of friends to convict you of being a Christian?  In an election, will you compromise or will you take a stand and vote for the candidate that will uphold Biblical Christian values? So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught … – 2 Thessalonians 2:15

May the Holy Spirit give you the spiritual backbone to stand firm, equipped with the full armor of God.  It is only when we stand firm and stand with one another that we can defend our values and our right to express them and live them out in our daily lives to the honor, praise and glory of Jesus Christ.

With respect to Mr. Cathy and other men and women like him: Be watchful, stand firm in the faith … Give recognition to such people. – 1 Corinthians 16:13-18