“Having an ‘In’”
You have heard it before. “The reason Susie got the job is because she has an ‘in’ with the director,” or “Yeah, John got court side seats because he has an ‘in’ with the coach.” Everyone typically has an ‘in’ somewhere, at some point in their life. Maybe you just happen to know the lady at the local café pretty well, and she gives you an extra shot of espresso for free, or you happen to be Hines Ward and are offered a free entry into the Kona Ironman? In any of these cases, it is kind of nice to have an ‘in,’ is it not? Recently I read this same phrase in a comment by someone on an opinion page, having to do with Phil Robertson and his recent statement that got him into trouble with certain individuals. The opinion stated that Phil seems to act like he has an ‘in’ with God based on his wording, making it sound as though he knows something they do not know and that he is above them. Well, guess what? Phil does have an ‘in’ and so do I.
I have pondered writing about this for a month. This is partly due to being way too busy, but more so because I hesitate to share how I feel on this topic. Why? Because look at what happens when Christians do share their beliefs. They are banned from T.V., ridiculed, and made to sound like mean-spirited, hateful, ignorant people. However, on the flip side, there can be a same sex wedding at the Grammy’s, with barely any repercussions the next day. Hmmm…diversity? Or just when it works for you and allows you to do what YOU want to do? You do not need to watch Phi’s show or read his books if you disagree with him, and I guess I will not be watching as much mainstream T.V., including shows like the Grammy’s, since it is insulting to me and my beliefs. After wrestling with whether or not to write this and express my thoughts, I decided to go for it. You are free to agree or dis-agree, but here it goes…
If Phil reads the Bible, believes what it says, and has faith based on a personal relationship with Jesus through salvation, (which I believe he does), then he most certainly has an ‘in’ with God. The coolest part about it is that YOU can have that ‘in’ too. Phil is not saying he is above all others at all, but rather that he hates the sin, as God calls it in the Bible, but NOT the sinner. There is a BIG difference. He, as well as other Christians who may agree with him, can tolerate other’s sins, but do not need to accept them or have them be shoved down their throats. We as Christians have love for Christ and others, but we also know what is right and what is wrong, based on the teachings that Jesus gave us. That does not mean we hate the sinner.
Maybe it seems as though his words imply he has an inside scoop or a direct path to Jesus Christ, but that is because he does! If you know anything about Phil’s history, or when he came to Christ in his late 20s, you would know that he, like all of us, is a sinner too, and at that point in his life he realized he needed Jesus and that there was only one way. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.’” (John 14:6) This applies to all people, and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you will have that direct path to Jesus, the ‘in’ I am referring too. The Bible will come to life for those filled with the Holy Spirit, and yes, as Phil stated, he does believe it and follow it in his daily life. This may be different than others’ views, but if diversity is the goal, then he is entitled and should be respected for that, right?
If you disagree with Phil or what he believes, so be it. You are absolutely entitled to that opinion and your own way of life. However, if you are curious as to what Phil has that you do not have, I would encourage you to take the dust off of the Bible and open it up. Read the book of Romans, or John, or just start from the beginning, but I promise you that you will not be disappointed. There is one way, no other, and according to the Bible, no amount of good works, going to church or living a “good” life will get you there, will give you that ‘in.’ Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags…” They mean nothing to Jesus who already paid the price for us, all He asks is that we believe and accept His invitation. Phil Robertson did just that, and he has been given an ‘in’ with God, allowing the scriptures to be clear to him and to see what is right and what is wrong .
Again, whether you believe it or not, that is up to you, and I am just stating my opinion and beliefs. I am not going to force them upon you. That is impossible. However, remember that Phil was asked about his faith and opinions, and he offered them. If you disagree with him, fine, but in the future, if asked for my opinion, you can bet on the fact that I will give it based on my faith and my belief in the Bible and what it says, not on what is popular or the politically correct thing to say. If you would like to have diversity in this country, then you will respect my beliefs even if you disagree, and you should not ridicule me, or call me a hater. Instead we should be able to move on, with different opinions, and still remain civil.
Phil is not above others nor is he a hater. He reads the Bible, believes what it says, and has followed it, and if the Bible is the true word written by God, which I do believe, then I am sorry folks, but he has an ‘in.’ In today’s world, not knowing what tomorrow will bring, I am so thankful that I have the same ‘in’ as well. It gives me hope and joy to know where I am going after this life, and a love for Jesus and for others, even those whom I may disagree with either in words or actions. We are all fish in the fish bowl, and the striped fish may disagree with the spotted fish, but they can still swim by one another without harm and without feeding the other to the sharks.