Chick-fil-A’s act of compassion

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).

In the aftermath of the terror attack by a radical Islamist at a homosexual nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Chick-fil-A did something unusual. The massacre occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning. Some Chick-fil-A employees in the area went to their restaurants later that day to cook and serve free food to law enforcement officers and to people standing in line to donate blood. Chick-fil-A closes on the Lord’s Day but opened its doors to serve others.

Despite criticism from the homosexual lobby, the restaurant chain showed compassion. Christ told His disciples to warn the unrepentant that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. If a house or city didn’t receive their words, they were to shake the dust from their feet and move on. His command didn’t preclude the disciples from acts of kindness toward those who rejected Him.

A representative from one of Orlando’s Chick-fil-A locations posted on Facebook, “Our restaurant, along with a couple of others in the area, simply responded just like numerous other Orlando businesses and residents have done—we came together as a community to lift those in need.”

Chick-fil-A president and CEO Dan Cathy said on a radio program four years ago that we were “inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,’” and he prayed for “God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we would have the audacity to try to redefine what marriage is all about.”

Cathy’s comments reflect what the God of the Bible tells us about sin. Unbelievers decided to declare him “homophobic” and call for boycotts of the fast-food chain. In America, consumers can frequent a business or avoid it for any reason. They can try to convince others to join their boycott. They may criticize Cathy and others who believe what God says about sin. But the backlash didn’t seem to have a negative impact on the company’s bottom line. In New York City, for example, Chick-fil-A is so popular, despite Mayor Bill de Blasio’s call to boycott the restaurant, the company plans to build more locations in the city. (God’s blessing, or are the sandwiches that good?)

Most of the people who oppose what Cathy and millions of Christians believe about marriage will continue to disparage Christians. What Chick-fil-A and its employees did in Orlando might change some hearts and minds. More than a few people could even repent. That’s the work of the convicting Holy Spirit, and we pray that many will come to Christ.

Though we’re not saved through our good works, our good works are a reflection of our salvation. They testify to God’s grace and mercy. We seek praise from God, however, not men. Christian acts of compassion glorify Him.