Monday, May 06, 2013

Holding Convictions in a Culture of Relativism

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Our culture proclaims there are no absolutes---truth is different things to different people in different circumstances.

And those who do not conform to this "truth" are labeled rigid, hateful, uninformed, intolerant and bigoted.

When NBA player Jason Collins announced last week that he is now a homosexual after being in a number of heterosexual relationships, shocking his former fiancee, he was hailed as "courageous," "brave" and "strong."

President Obama told the White House press he had spoken with Collins and told him he was proud of what he had done.

The press echoed the President.

But while the secular progressives lectured Americans on tolerance, acceptance and such things, they were waging an all out war against Chris Boussard, a sports analyst on ESPN, the Disney/ABC owned sports network.

Why?

Because of Broussard's religious beliefs and deeply held convictions regarding biblical teaching on homosexual behavior.

Broussard was not caustic, hateful or bigoted in any way, yet a movement to get him fired has emerged over the last few days.

Here's what happened.


Last week Broussard was on ESPN's "Out Side The Lines" show to talk with LZ Granderson, also an announcer and writer for ESPN, about the Collins statement.

Granderson is openly homosexual.

He asked Broussard, "How ready is the NBA and the locker rooms for having an openly gay teammate?"

Broussard said, "The climate in society is very set for this to happen." He said he had been texting with a number of NBA players and General Managers and said some players had told him they were uncomfortable with it, others had said they didn't care either way, "but," Broussard said, "I don't think you'll see somebody come out and be against this, whether because of their true feelings or because of political correctness."

Then the conversation began to turn in a very different and personal direction.

Broussard said, "I'm a Christian. I don't agree with homosexuality. I think it's a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is."

Broussard pointed out that he and Ganderson had some prior open talks on the subject, saying he can tolerate my beliefs and I tolerate his lifestyle.

He noted that tolerance requires tolerance on both sides.

He said, "If you live a sexually impure lifestyle, then the Bible says that's sin. If you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever that may be...I believe that's walking in open rebellion to God and Jesus Christ."

Broussard said, "I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I do not think the Bible characterizes that person as a Christian."

In addition to Collin's announcement that he is homosexual, he also claims to be a Christian.

Forget tolerance for anyone's Christian beliefs and convictions.

At the speed of "Internet" the hashtag "#firechrisbroussard" was born by the end of the week. The media was attempting to throw Chris Broussard to the lions.

Then Friday, there was yet another twist in this tale of "tolerance."

On Friday, Broussard told a national group of Christian men, "Even though I'm getting a lot of hate, God is being glorified."

He said, "I'm getting such an outpouring of support from Christians throughout the country and even throughout the world. I've had several big name pastors call me or tweet in support of me. I've had NBA players and coaches and management call me in support.

He says he hopes the publicity will cause people to "unify around a Kingdom agenda" and personally, he says, he is resting on the scripture that says, "Blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness' sake."

"I know this is a blessing," he says.

So far ESPN has not fired him. We will watch it very closely this week.

It will be through people like Chris Broussard taking a personal public stand on their deeply held biblical convictions that will begin to turn the hearts of others.

This reminds me of another older, but parallel narrative. Daniel Chapter 6.

Although Daniel was in a foreign land, he had been promoted to a high position in the political structure of King Darius. He had also held true to his commitment to God, praying three times daily.

Daniel's wisdom and character had distinguished him among his peers to a point where Darius was considering placing him over the entire political and social structure in the kingdom.

You likely know the story well. Out of jealousy and hatred toward Daniel's God, his peers began to look for a way to stop the promotion.

Eventually they did what people still do today to advance an agenda. They passed a law that they felt would surely derail Daniel.

They got King Darius to sign a new "freedom of religion" law, by not being completely transparent about their motives and by appealing to his ego.

Darius signed the law that forbid anyone in the kingdom to worship another man or god, except King Darius, for 30 days.

Following the signing of the law, Daniel's peers went to where they knew he would be in prayer---now illegal prayer. Daniel was praying to Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth, as he had done from his childhood.

When King Darius discovered what had been done and what he had personally done, verse 14 says the King "was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him."

King Darius was never meant to deliver Daniel. God Himself would deliver him. And He did.

You know the story well.

In the end, God was glorified.

Even King Darius made a statement throughout his kingdom which said:

"I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God. And steadfast forever; His Kingdom is the one which shall endure to the end."

God is going to use people of conviction to turn this nation toward Him.

A conviction is a belief that is considered true and worthy of standing upon regardless of the consequences.

Do you have convictions that you are willing to stand for publicly in our culture today?

Would you be willing to die for those convictions? If not, why not?

I am talking more about this subject on my radio program this morning. Please join me live at 9 AM PDT by clicking here or tuning to one of the ACN stations in your area. You may also get a free app for your phone and listen on the go. My live program is rebroadcast each evening at 7:30 PM, PDT

Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Committed. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.