Nobody enjoys being a troublemaker, but when you start shaking the salt of Christian truth into the decayed wounds of our postmodern, hypersensitive, and ridiculously politically-correct culture, then it’s going to be painful.  Anytime you pour salt in a wound, it’s going to hurt.  Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?” (Matthew 5:13a NLT).  Followers of Jesus live lives that guard and protect God’s plan for all people, families, communities, and yes, even governments.  It’s no surprise then, that when a Christian starts shaking the salt of Christian truth into the wounds of our country, most people don’t like it.
           Mayor Jim Naugle of Ft. Lauderdale recently issued an apology to the people of his city in reference to the activities of the gay community.  His apology, however, was not to the gay community.  His apology was directed to the citizens of his city for his underestimation of the sexual deviance occurring in public restrooms in the community.  In his apology, he stated that he wanted to apologize to the parents and children for not being aware of the homosexual “problem” in their city.  Naugle said that he uses the term “homosexual” rather than “gay,” because gays are “unhappy.”  Talk about shaking some salt!  Shaking the salt of truth does not translate into “meanness.”  Many Christians are guilty responding to the homosexual community with hatefulness rather than the love of Christ.  Responding in love, however, demands that we speak the truth in great confidence of knowing that our Creator didn’t make a mistake in Genesis 1 when He created a male and a female.
           Naturally, the homosexual activists of Ft. Lauderdale are furious and calling for Naugle’s resignation.  The homosexual activists group Equality Florida has responded to Naugle’s strategy to end the deviance in his city by launching a drive to engulf city hall with toilet paper.  This would be really funny if it wasn’t so real…and so stupid.  But according to the political correctness of our age, the liberal media, and the numbness of most Americans, Naugle, the salt-shaker, is beginning to look like the stupid one.  Nevertheless, we know that as believers stand for truth in a truthless culture, there will be persecutions, trials, and tribulations that test our faith in every arena.
           Recently, Dr. James Holsinger, a physician and a member of the United Methodist Judicial Council has come under fire in his consideration as the U.S. Surgeon General.  Holsinger voted to affirm Methodist teaching that bans practicing homosexual ordination.  He also wrote a paper for the Methodist denomination documenting the health hazards of homosexuality and on the biological complementarity of the human sexes.  Holsinger is shaking the salt of truth from a biblical, logical, and medical perspective.  What’s the response?  He has been maligned by homosexual groups, harshly attacked by presidential candidates, and now is being treated coldly by the White House.  Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards responded, “In a profession dedicated to healing and compassion, it cannot be hard to find a qualified candidate for surgeon general who sees all human beings as equals…Holsinger’s anti-gay writings and beliefs suggest that he will undermine, not advance, the cause of equality and fairness in health care.” The Bush administration responded, “That was not his belief. It was not his opinion.”  I guess our biblical beliefs about the dangers of any kind of sexual immorality, especially homosexuality, have now become a litmus test for service in public office.  My suggestion is to keep shaking the salt of God’s truth regardless of the trials that may come.

(The reference stories for Naugle and Holsinger are linked at www.tommyclark.blogspot.com)

Category : Tommy Talk