Postscript: Duck Dynasty

I didn't expect to add any more postings to this blog, but the Phil Robertson (Duck Dynasty patriarch) controversy over his GQ interview comments on homosexuality concerns me in many ways.

I could comment on the political correctness issues or the attacks on religious liberty or the liberal/conservative tensions, but those things have been around for years and have received plenty of comments.

What caught my eye was the official Duck Dynasty response found at www.duckcommander.com. Included in that response is the following statement:  Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Let me begin by saying Robertson's interview is a strange expression of "Love your neighbor as yourself."

I suppose he thought he was doing a loving thing by witnessing to the interviewer and saying Americans should repent of their sin and accept Jesus as Savior. When asked what he thought was sinful, Robertson responded, "“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." Considering all that the Bible says, I found this a strange and generally unhelpful way to explain sin.

How different things might have gone if Robertson's response had defined sin as something other than sex. Suppose he had talked about pride or materialism or prejudice? Surely that would have been less like preaching and more like a heart-to-heart talk.

Discussing the prejudice with which we all struggle, however, would almost certainly not have come easily to Robertson. When asked about growing up in the south during the pre-civil rights era, he commented that he had never seen the mistreatment of any black person. Those he saw during this "pre-entitlement, pre-welfare" era "...were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”

The naiveté of these comments on race relations and the harshness of some of his other statements in the interview reflect little grasp of either the depth of sin or the breadth of grace. 

I believe Phil Robertson's family when they speak of the central role God plays in his life; I also believe he has a long way to go in his spiritual journey, especially if he keeps trying to convert those he hasn't bothered to understand at all with a gospel he hasn't bothered to understand much either. 

Perhaps this time in Phil Robertson's life will give him a unique opportunity to grow in grace and become more like Jesus. And perhaps it will give all of us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to "love your neighbor as yourself."

Epilogue

On September 1, our “90-Day ‘Love Your Neighbor’ Adventure” began. Yesterday was Day 90. Many have contacted me to let me know they appreciate these daily devotionals. I have to admit, I did them as much for my own benefit as anyone else’s. Indeed, I have been greatly blessed by the "neighbors" God has brought into my life during these past three months.

Now a new chapter begins and I want to let you know about two things that might interest you:

1. In early January, I expect to begin a new “Love God” series of devotionals in a similar format to what these have been. I think this will be the prequel to the Love Your Neighbor series. Taking December off lets me prepare for the new series. It also lets some readers catch up with devotionals they have put away to read later. :-)

2. By Easter, I hope to have the Love Your Neighbor studies revised and published in book form for small group use. Such a format, I suspect, will allow for the kind of discussion and interaction that will deepen the impact of these Scriptures.

Thank you for being part of this Love Your Neighbor Adventure. If God has used this material in your life in some special way, please let me know. I would especially like to know if God has led you to reach out and touch the life of someone else during these past 90 days.

As we enter the season of Advent, I have no doubt God will give you many opportunities to Love Your Neighbor in the incredible, extravagant way that God has loved you!

Dave Nichols

dnich1803@gmail.com

 

Day 90: Beloved Community

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Comments

After Pentecost and with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the early church grew rapidly. It’s growth was natural; it’s growth was supernatural.

It is hard to read the Acts 2 description of the church without noting the love they had for one another:

· They learned together, fellowshipped together, ate together, prayed together, worshipped together

· They shared their meals, their homes, their property, their possessions, their lives

Reflections

Christian faith is not about me preparing for heaven some day; it’s about the beloved community living for God right now. In what way has this been (or not been) your church experience?

How will you come together with others to love your neighbors, showing God’s love in tangible ways to each other and to a world that is desperate to know that someone cares?

Prayer

Dwell in our midst, Lord, as we seek to share our lives as your people now and always.

 

Day 89: Abiding

John 15:5-10

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Comments

Jesus uses the grapevine as a vivid image of what it means to be his disciple. The vine draws its life from the branch and produces fruit as a result.

“Remain” appears seven times in this short passage. Other translations have Jesus saying, “abide” in me or “live” in me or “dwell” in me. All of these point to the same intimate, life-giving connection.

Reflections

What part of your day or week is given over to abiding in Christ? Do you set aside a block of time or find that several brief periods work better?

Most importantly, are you experiencing the life-giving nourishment and producing the love-bearing fruit of that connection?

Prayer

Help me never think of myself as being so busy, Lord, that I can’t find time to stay connected to your love and life every day.

 

Day 88: Spirit Power

Acts 1:3-8

He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Comments

The crucifixion dashed the disciples’ hope that Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel and make all things right. The resurrection gave them new hope, but Jesus made it clear that the Second Coming was not immediately on the agenda.

The true and immediate hope of the disciples was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that would empower their witness and bring God’s kingdom in a different way.

Reflections

Many people become obsessed with figuring out when Jesus will come again even though Jesus clearly discouraged such thinking about "times and dates." In what way has the teaching of any such “prophecy expert” helped you become more like Jesus?

Have you experienced the promised power of the Holy Spirit in your life and witness?

Prayer

Fill me with your Spirit, Lord, that my life and witness might be, not in my power but in your power, and not for my glory, but for your glory.

 

Day 87: Promised Spirit

John 14:23-27

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Comments

Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey me.” He doesn’t say, “If you obey me, you will love me.” Unlike the chicken and the egg, this is a case where what comes first truly matters.

Loveless obedience is common in legalistic churches. Such an approach, unfortunately, leaves a trail of frustration and destruction wherever it goes.

The key to obeying in love is the Holy Spirit, whose presence in our lives reminds us of Jesus’ teachings. The fruit of the Spirit’s work in our life is peace and a noticeable lack of fear.

Reflection

Was there a time in your life when obedience came out of a sense of obligation rather than out of love? What was that like? What changed things for you?

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for promising us your Spirit and giving us your peace. In our hectic, harried world, these are priceless treasures.

 

Day 86: Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Comments

The crucifixion of Jesus was such a devastating turn of events that, even after the resurrection, some of the disciples still doubted. What Jesus said next, though, was addressed to all the disciples, even those who had doubts.

The Great Commission, to “go and make disciples of all nations,” focused on teaching new disciples to obey. Jesus emphasized orthopraxis (correct living) rather than orthodoxy (correct doctrine). The commands at the heart of correct living centered on love: love God, love your neighbor, love your enemy, do not love the world.

The disciples were not left on their own to fulfill the Great Commission; Jesus promised to be with them always.

Reflections

To what extent is the Great Commission central to your life and the life of your church?

Jesus told the disciples to go into the world, not to wait until the world came to them. How much of your time is given to “go and make disciples” versus “go to church?”

Prayer

Show me, Lord, what I can do to fulfill the Great Commission, and reassure me that you are with me every step of the way.