Still Happy?

GQ, happy, happy, happy.

Sales and exposure are up.

A&E, not so much. 

Neither Storage Wars nor Intervention make a good plush doll or T-shirt.

GLAAD, happy, happy, happy.

Score another “W” for intolerant tolerance.

Conservative groups, not so much. 

Though, be sure, the sky is not falling.   

And while my unofficial count has the various “I stand with Phil” petitions at roughly 323, I’m not interested in creating another platform for anyone to “like”. 

Similarly when Al Mohler  and Russ Moore offer commentary on a topic,

I’m not sure there’s anything of substance to add. 

So as Phil Robertson’s situation continues to galvanize both the thoughtful and rash, my concern is simply the way forward.  For those who seek to be people of the Book, how are we to operate in an increasing darkened society?

Along these lines, I’d like to offer four thoughts from the book of Isaiah.  

Four reflections on proclaiming divine revelation in a hostile culture:

Bind up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples.  I will wait for the Lord...I will hope in him…when they say to you, “inquire of the mediums and necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God?  Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?  To the teaching and to the testimony!  If they will not speak accordingly to this word, it is because they have no dawn (8:16-22).

Isaiah was bound to the Word: Bind up the testimony (16)

We are bound by a clear reading of the text.  Stretching interpretive norms to accommodate societal cravings and whims is the definitive step toward destruction.  Whether the text is obtrusive or deemed outdated, divine revelation stands.  We are bound.     

Moving forward, be bound by the Word even in the complexities of our culture.  In our affection for Christ, how are we to encourage those in our church who are seeking to honor God but still struggle with same sex attraction?    

Be sure, these are part of our body.  Brothers and sisters who love Christ deeply and desire to submit their sexuality to the revealed Word.  Yes, we may find their struggle confusing but this is never license for crass, insensitive language or dismissive, crude humor.  Yes, we may find comfort by championing stories where heterosexual attraction is restored.  And while these stories certainly exist and should be celebrated, there are also stories of ongoing struggle, perseverance, and waiting for Christ's ultimate return.    

Moving forward, may we be a place where people are bound by the Word and freed to follow Christ.  Whatever our sinful impulses might be, however close they might feel to our essential makeup, these sins are covered by Christ's blood and the Spirit will grant grace to obey.  I have a great deal of respect for men and women who struggle with same sex attraction yet maintain faithful obedience to the Word.  Think about it.  With denominations altering Scripture and accommodating the masses, how easy would it be to drift into another fellowship?  How easy would it be to join a group that pacified this base temptation? 

The complexities of sin are many.  These have chosen celibacy in their efforts to pursue their Creator and like the rest of us who fight temptation and seek to live honorably before God - our reward will be great.

Isaiah was to hope in the Word: I will wait for the Lord, I will hope in him (17-18) 

Amid cultural apathy, the prophet waited for the Lord to honor His word.  Rather than drifting off course, Isaiah was resolute in his stance.  Moral relativism has all but destroyed societal mores and those who preach moral absolutes are often held in contempt.  All the while, we actively wait. 

Active to uphold the banner of truth.

Active to stand as a sign of hope to the wayward (18)

Active to love those who do not think as I think.
Active in upholding the gospel of Christ.  

Isaiah was to direct people to the Word: To the teaching and the testimony (19-20a)

As his culture began to seek answers to the pressing questions of their day, Isaiah had but one solution: the Living God.  Note the people's request.  They wanted Isaiah to practice pagan norms for finding authoritative meaning.  They wanted the prophet of God to reduce himself to the mediums who babbled to the dead, 'chirping' for a definitive word.  Isaiah's response?  Why seek the dead when your God is living?  Why seek the lower forms of authority, go to God's teaching and testimony!  

Various pulpits may indeed reduce themselves to popular avenues for authoritative meaning.  But Isaiah’s charge is singular, to faithfully direct the people to the testimony of God.  The Living Creator had clearly spoken, why turn to man's musings?

Isaiah was to uphold the weight of divine revelation: They have no dawn (20b-22).

Should the masses not “speak according to the divine word”, should they not align themselves with sacred revelation, “it is because they have no dawn”.  The reading is clear.  Trifling with divine revelation is a somber offense.
_______

Let us be 'Happy, Happy, Happy'.
For our eternal hope is not a matter of public opinion.  
Though the flower fades and the grass withers the Word of God will stand.   
As we move forward, be mindful of God's charge to Isaiah:  

• Be unapologetically bound to Scripture.  
• Be hopeful, God will be faithful to His word.  Waiting for the final Day, use Robertson's story as conversation starter.  Everyone has an opinion on the situation.  Opportunities to share the gospel abound. 
• Be bold.  Our culture is seeking rest, joyfully proclaim truth!  Don’t be afraid to speak God's truth, pointing people to His timeless testimony. 
• Be prayerfully wary.  There are those who willfully stray from divine revelation, be careful not to follow for their path.  

Blessings