I know I’m late to jump on this bandwagon and debated on whether to get into the discussion on this whole thing. I mean … the whole “Miley Cyrus” saga lasted a few days and then it was done, which made me think good old Mr. Robertson would not be the topic of conversation this late after the fact. Yet, here we are.
First and foremost … Mr. Robertson can say whatever he wants to say according to our constitution. Just as Harvey Milk could. Just as Martin Luther King, Jr. could. Same goes for Don Imus, Rush Limbaugh, Jesse Jackson, and Paula Deen. And the list goes on and on to include you and me.
It’s called “freedom of speech.”
But, with all freedom, comes responsibility.
We’re free to say whatever we want, but we DEFINITELY shouldn’t say everything we want to.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve learned this first-hand and the hard way. It takes WAY more smarts to NOT say all the things you want to. It’s a struggle, I know it well.
So, while I agree and stand with Mr. Robertson, I do admit that his beliefs could have been expressed in a manner that didn’t offend or hurt those who are already turned off by Christians they perceive as judgmental and cruel.
Now, before you get all riled up … take a breath … and read what he actually said. A bit of it was crude and offensive, even to me as a heterosexual woman. Sometimes the phrasing of your words can make a big difference in the way you’re perceived or what your beliefs actually are.
There are people that see us as Christians and think that we think we’re better than them. We’re judgmental. We look down upon them. I’ve heard it even more now that I’m not working at a church. There have been moments where I just want to lash out and say what I think about something, but then realize how harsh or ugly it will come across. God requires us to be responsible with our words. Speaking the truth with love is not an easy thing to do.
We unfortunately don’t always show the love we should show.
So, how do we do it?
How do we show the love of Jesus … really love someone as Jesus does … when they are blatantly living a lifestyle contradictory to God’s Word? How do we love someone with the love of Jesus when they don’t want it or are adamantly against anything of God?
Well … let’s see …
We just do.
Do you remember who you were before you met Christ? He loved you and there was someone else who loved you enough to share Him with you.
I want to be love. I don’t want to be tolerant. I want to be love.
I cannot be tolerant of something that is against God. Not gonna happen. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t be love or be seen as loving.
Agree to disagree. Speak the truth. Love them.
Love speaks louder than any words you can say.
Micah 6:8 gave Israel clear instructions on how to live, which are the same for us today:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And, what does the Lord require of you?
(here’s the answer)
To act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.“
That’s it.
1. Act justly. (That calls for intolerance to things against God.)
2. Love mercy. (Extend the mercy God has extended you.)
3. Walk humbly. (Rely upon God’s guidance more than your own way.)
That description does not describe someone who comes across as judgmental or intolerant. God loves everyone, even those we deem as unlovable or can’t imagine loving. We need to treat each other and non-believers as such.
As for Mr. Robertson … it is a shame that his words were offensive to some. I’m sure he didn’t intend this. But, I can’t help but make another observation:
I am offended quite often by those who support many things that I oppose. Their words being equally or should I say, MORE crude. I wonder why those offensive things are not taken care of in the same harsh manner as Mr. Robertson’s words.
I think you and I both know why.
The world we are living in continues to insist on “tolerance” to a fault. But, I’ve said, we, as Christians, can’t be tolerant to those things that area against God. BUT, we can love … love no matter what. We CAN use our words to heal, not cause more hurt. Actually, not just “can”, SHOULD.
The “Duck Dynasty” saga has simply challenged me to make sure I am responsible with my words and to try and ensure that my words cannot come back to haunt me in any way, shape, or form.
Wow. This is gonna be hard. Join with me in this challenge.
Let’s ensure that our words heal.
So, here I go gettin’ on the bandwagon again and say, “Yes, let Phil speak,” BUT “Phil, be careful.”
I feel exactly the same way. Love is the only way to reach a lost world. Not in judgment. It's so hard to speak the truth in love!!! I am gonna go ahead and wash my mouth out for whatever I say today, just in case….. 😉
Idk if you watch Duck Dynasty or not but hearing the words he used I have not read the article you posted, but I read it when it all started, just hearing it I can hear him in his country, elder voice as he always speaks and can't find myself offended. He just speaks that way. Knowing his character or who the show portrays him to be. He is a loving, God fearing man. I think what upsets me about the whole situation is no one is pointing out that he also stated, he was a sinner and could not judge anyone, but that he loved every person the same, and that they too could be saved. Idk, like you said it can be hard tl show Godly perspective on love some times in the situation, but if you ask a 67 year old country man, on his property in the deep woods at his comfort zone a question your going to get the truth
Lol
Loving is one thing…but to speak the truth is another. Even when we speak in love…the guilty are offended if they don't want to change. In today society we have swapped out the word "offended" for "shamed". We think it is wrong to feel any shame, no matter what we do. If we do it and we like it…then everyone else has to accept it.