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Well now, that’s an interesting title. What does discrimination have to do with Thanksgiving? Glad you asked. I am a discriminating turkey eater. I prefer the dark meat. So, I discriminate against the white meat. If you prefer the white meat, then you too practice discrimination. Sometimes we are guilty of making words mean more than they do, or suggesting that a word is always negative. There are good uses of the word discriminating. You probably used a great deal of discrimination in choosing your life partner! I hope that you did.
I do hope your Thanksgiving holiday will be a time of rest and relaxation, that you will enjoy family and friends, and most of all, that you will rejoice in the good grace of your Lord over your life! Don’t let the media hype scare you out of big family get-togethers. I will be with all three sons and their families in Texas this year. I am very much looking forward to the “Turkey Bowl,” great food and sweet fellowship. That will be easy, my grandkids will be there!
There is a negative side to discrimination. But we must be careful not to overreact and call a difference of opinion or disagreement discrimination. The kind of discrimination we must oppose is of the invidious nature. Invidious means, “likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others.” In other words, the discrimination is of a nature that will most certainly bring harm or reproach on the object. If anyone is hurt or injured by invidious discrimination, all of us should come to their defense. There are laws on the books already to protect us from this type of discrimination.
Because of that there is no need for a new “anti-discrimination” ordinance in Macon. I am writing on Tuesday morning and this afternoon I will be speaking in opposition to the proposed ordinance before the Macon-Bibb Commission. Unfortunately, the ordinance as written will do more to bring about discrimination than it will to stop it. It has become politically correct to shame, harass and call people bigots and racists if they do not openly celebrate every aspect of the LGBTQ agenda. Expressing any disagreement with any position of the LGBTQ or transgender platform is taboo in the extreme.
But oppose it we must because it is contrary to the revealed will of God. It is not hateful to oppose what God opposes. We do not hate gays and lesbians; we love them enough to say to them that their lifestyle contradicts God’s best plan for their lives. Do they have a right to their same sex affections and relationships? In our pluralistic society, they do. Should we be compelled to celebrate their sin? We should not.
These are difficult days. Please read the information on the website regarding the ordinance and do what you can to make your voice heard at the Commission and Mayor’s office. In any contact with your elected officials please be gracious and kind, but firm and resolute in your convictions. Here’s the link: https://www.tbcmacon.com/ordinance
This coming Sunday, November 22, we will continue in Daniel chapter 7 and consider another very important part of Daniel’s vision, “The Saints of the Most High.” As we considered the courtroom of the Ancient of Days last week, this week we will concentrate on the Saints of God this week, with the focus on the tribulation saints. What will all the saints be doing in heaven? [If you miss a sermon please remember that all of our sermons can be accessed by audio here: https://www.tbcmacon.com/sermons]
As always, I am looking forward to what God will do at Tabernacle this coming Sunday. Please be present with your Bibles in hand as we worship the Lord together!
Blessings, YFJS, Bro. Tom
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