Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” fame has suffered discrimination for what is being called by many hateful words. Rather, he clearly gave the word of God calling sin sin, and lost his job, momentarily, with A&E for it. I claim his words and actions do not come out of any hate or fear, but from love.
Is life eternal? Every civilization that has advanced mankind has had some understanding that life continues for eternity after life on this earth, even those that believed in a multitude of gods. Judaism stood for the one true God amidst these cultures of polytheism and is the foundation for all of western civilization with its prosperity and advancements. Out of that soil rose Christianity which achieved its greatest manifestation in the United States, a nation that has uplifted the entire world whether they are willing to admit it or not. And sin is still sin whether one wants to admit it or not.
The wages of sin is death; eternal damnation. What that means may vary from denomination to denomination but the belief in the eternal nature of life does not vary. It is a perspective that should permeate all of our society, because if life is ultimately eternal it does matter how you live. Respecting such commonly shared truths, apparent in all denominations, is what creates a Judeo-Christian society without establishing a national religion. It is the foundation of a society that respects all religions. It is the foundation of a free society.
When I was a child the idea of being a teenager seemed an eternity away. I never imagined reaching the age of The Monkees and now when I see them on TV I hardly remember what it was like being that young. Something I thought happened five years ago I find is ten or even fifteen years in the past. How will this life be perceived after ten-thousand years in the life after this one? A mere flash. Obviously we should be far more concerned with the eternal nature of our spirits than what recognition one can gain in this world.
Those consumed with pleasures of the flesh generally have little foresight. They can rationalize away and justify any criticism, especially in the light of a free society. They insist that they are in the right and all need to agree with them, and those who disagree are not just wrong but haters. It sounds to me, a simple man hardly perfect myself but one who has kept his face turned towards the one God, that these are the intellectual gymnastics of one trying to override a guilty conscience. That is my perspective gained from a life of personal reflection.
If one views life from the eternal perspective and truly loves his fellow man, all mankind, than how can he not warn those walking the path of sin? Phil Robertson’s words can only be seen as a work of love and concern for his fellow man. If his words make some people feel guilty my advise would be to listen to your conscience and not the one who seeks to drag you to hell, whose words always appear more pleasing.
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