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Our role in a fallen world

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octoberose:
The news today centers around the the war of words between Chick Fil A and Amazon. Apparently Jeff Bazos of Amazon has made the largest single contribution in Washington state to pass same sex marriage legislation. Chick Fil A is under the gun from many, many sources because of it's defense of marriage between one man and a one woman. So, here's my question. What should our stand be in such a fallen world? Do I cancel my Amazon prime subscription? Do I buy more chicken sandwiches? Do we involve ourselves in this at all?
I know All is of God, but God expects us to be a light in a dark world. How do we do that when it comes to commerce? Did Ray comment on this? I keep thinking about the first century Christians who were under the gun (so to speak) to eat the  offerings to idols. Some ate, some did not. And I believe that rather than the Christians not doing business with the idol worshippers, the idol worshippers didn't want to do business with them. So, what do we do? This is going to become more and more of an issue as time goes on.  Ray reminded us that Jesus asked if He would find faith in this world when He returned.  And of course the answer is, not much, only a few who are the elect.  So, what do we do with this, if anything?

Kat:

Let your conscience be your guide. One person may think it is important to support/not support something they believe is standing for righteousness/unrighteousness. So listen to the spirit indwelling and by that do what you think is the right thing and do not judge others by what they may do.

mercy, peace and love
Kat 

ez2u:
yes Kat  pray and seek the Lords will in  everything.  Then do the best you can.

John from Kentucky:
God created evil.  Isa 45:7  He made the mess.  He will clean it up.

Do not worry about anything.  Philippians 4:6  I don't sweat the big stuff.  I don't sweat the little stuff.  God controls everything.  Such understanding brings Peace.

Gina:
That's a good starting point, Kat.

Hi Octoberose:

(I'm rather long winded but not verbose so bear with me.  Besides, there's a prize at the end.)

I saw your post today at work.  Actually Ray did speak of these things. 

I am an "Ambassador for Christ" (I Cor 5:20). Ambassadors cannot legally take part in the politics of foreign nations.  Jesus never, ever got involved in the operations of the Roman Government over the Jews. We are never taught to "march on Washington," etc. But we are told to COME OUT OF THE WORLD and be separate. "Let the DEAD bury the dead."
God be with you,
Ray

It's GOOD that you recognize sin.  But let's face it:  Mr. Amazon and Mr. Chick are ultimately in a political fight.  It's between those two ultimately.  So let them argue.  Who cares? 

However, for the sake of argument, let's suppose your husband worked for Amazon, okay?  Let's say a lot of people you know and love dearly work for Amazon.  Pretend they're all people with whom you share political views.  Now imagine they knew nothing of "Mr. Amazon's" own personal issues regarding gay marriage. 

But let's pretend you made up your mind and feel the right thing would be to boycott Amazon.  And, hypothetically speaking, you're going around trying to draw people away from Amazon.   

We're only hypothesizing so let's go all the way:  You and all your followers managed to throw Amazon into bankruptcy and ultimately out of business.  Ask yourselves: 

(1)  Are you comfortable with the fact that you've just managed to put all your friends and loved ones (with whom you all share political views) out of work because you didn't like one man's thoughts?

(2)  Did you manage to change that one man's political views re the gay marriage issue? 

(3)  Will he throw his arms around your necks and thank you for showing him the "light"? 

(4)  Will he thank you for putting all his employees out on the street and him in the poorhouse?

(5) Is "a person convinced against their will of the same opinion still"? 



Regarding the issue re eating meat offered to idols. 

In your own mind - I don't know how but you managed to equate patronizing Amazon with eating the meat offered to idols.  Let's be real:   I just bought some toothpaste from my local health food store and guess what?  I guarantee you someone at the top of that company holds views contrary to my own.  What do I do?  Do I go about finding out what their views are and then boycott that market? 

My feeling is, that Amazon guy--he doesn't MAKE the products that are sold on Amazon, he simply runs the company. 

Now let's pretend that you are not Christ's Ambassador and instead your home actually IS the world and so you can legally get involved in political issues, okay?   Boycotting Amazon because one person there holds a political view not to your liking would be like saying:  The entire world of believers should boycott Israel because someone in office there isn't exactly honest.  Should all Israel suffer because one person didn't know the meaning of "but I say to you, love your enemy"?    And let's face it, leaders are ultimately appointed by God, no matter whether they're carnal or Godly.

How about that government figure in that southern state (No.Carolina?) who cheated on his wife with that woman from South America?  Should all believes move out of the state and should outsiders stop vacationing in Nags Head?

( 1 Cor. 5:9-11 )  I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
Yet not entirely with the fornicators of this WORLD, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must you needs go out of the world [in other words:  YOU'D NEED TO GET OUT OF THE WORLD ENTIRELY BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE ARE EVERYWHERE.].  But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging OUTSIDERS? Do you not judge those who are within the CHURCH?

I hope that was clear enough.   :)

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