Say so! We hear so much about saying so or I said so in the political arena or in the Christian world (which we know the two do not go hand in hand). The left wing, the right wing, the has-beens, the wannabes and the never-will-bes … everybody’s saying so, but about what?!? Often times about stuff that does not matter. The mouth is a tremendous tool to say so, not in a negative way, but a positive one.
In the days of the cross, I believe, possibly, what broke the heart of Jesus was not the scorning on the way up the hill to Golgotha, or the beating that he took. I believe it was not only the sin of the sinner but probably the silence of those who claimed to love him. What broke the heart of the Lord on the cross, was not the casting of lots for his clothes, it was none of his people saying “so”, or taking a stand. Where were those he healed? Where were those He cleansed? Where were those He raised from the dead? Where were those He made whole? Why didn't they say something for Him?
Several years ago there was a song that said if you don't stand for something you will fall for anything. But at what time or risk do we take a stand? Only when it is the popular vote? Or only when it fits our own purpose or fits our own agenda? NO! There is without a doubt a time when it is unequivocally the right time to take a stand and that is for the truth.
In our society today we are innocent until proven guilty until our judicial system seeks to find the truth. We make the statement: stand on the truth for the truth shall set you free. We are told from the time we are able to understand, that the truth is always better than a lie. Even in our court system, raise our hand and are asked do you promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
But we have become sophisticated. We use a different vocabulary in order to not hurt someone's feelings. We don't call a thief a thief anymore if he or she embezzled money; we call it a misappropriation of funds. We have become so afraid of hurting someone's feelings that we are willing to turn our heads at an impropriety and just say nothing, even if it is the truth.
So let me help you. Do not misunderstand! We never have the right to put down someone else's personal opinions to push our own thoughts. However, we can love the sinner and hate the sin as God has directed. We will never win the lost if we do not love them but they have to be told the truth, not a watered down version of it. Though we may not agree with another's ideals, we can still categorically stand on the truth. If the truth bothers someone or if it rubs them the wrong way, so be it. It is not our place to stand and argue or debate but to merely stand on the truth. Some say the truth does not have to be defended. That may be right but it does have to be stated.
The truth is: The Mystery Men have recently sent a song to radio that in some circles seems to be somewhat controversial. Infact, the song has been dubbed by some industry leaders as “The Most Controversial Song In Gospel Music”. Well we accepted that term because Christianity is controversial at its core. The truth is, the question was asked of me, would I be willing to risk my career or the careers of The Mystery Men on our recent single, “Come On Down To the Farm”. It is not our careers that we stand on, but we simply stand on the truth.
We were recently sitting at a Waffle House (a place we frequently visit on the road) and a song began to play on the jukebox. A female (former Gospel) singer sang the lyrics, “I kissed a girl and I liked It.” I found out later that this song is not only acceptable but is a mega hit. Yet the song that we sent to radio is in criticism … even in some Christian radio because it is not politically correct and may offend. When are we going to stand up and say “so”? Come on folks, with that kind of mentality how long will it be before we begin to tell people that there is no hell. Even now about the only time we hear the word “hell” mentioned is when someone tells us to go there. Or perhaps we stop telling people that they do not have to get saved to go to heaven or they no longer must repent of their sins. What are the boundaries? It is simple … The Bible is the truth, the infallible inerrant word of God. In it lies the only real truth.
Ladies and gentlemen, my ploy is not to push my own agenda or to beat someone else up over their particular ideals. It is not to put someone else's way of life to the test but to merely stand on the truth. Give them the facts and therefore allow them to draw their own conclusions or, at least, informed choices.
FACT: Our song does not put down the gay community or lifestyle.
STATEMENT: I have some gay friends. I do not condone their lifestyle. However, I will not sell them a bill of goods and let them go on believing it is OK. They are still my friends and again I must love the sinner but hate the sin.
FACT: Our song merely states that in their lifestyle, they cannot produce offspring. It takes a male and a female.
STATEMENT: That is the way God planned it, created it, and since the beginning of time that is the way it has been and going to be. He hasn't changed His plan.
FACT: Our song states that we need to get back to the truths of the Bible and teach our children the ways of the Lord.
STATEMENT: We have watered down our values from music to morals to Biblical believe, to the point that many times we don't know where the boundaries are. Our young people need freedom, but God guided freedom within the parameters of His word.
Lastly, let’s not be an ostrich, hide our heads in the sand, and let everything just pass on by. Where are those that will stand up and say “so” for the Lord? We Christians need to take a stand across the board for the truth of what the Bible says, not a particular denominational vendetta, but the truth of the Gospel for after all ... the truth shall set you free.
We welcome your thoughts for this is just the opinion of one man. Until we meet again please continue to pray and help us to “boldly proclaim the mystery of the Gospel”.
For more information about The Mystery Men or their song “Come On Down To The Farm”, please visit http://www.themysterymen.com
Author: Mystery Men Qt
| Author's Website: http://themysterymen.com
Written: 03/01/2010
| 
Category: Mystery Men Quartet
Comments: 21
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Thumbs up, I LOVE THAT SONG lol!!!!
There is not one thing wrong with this song. like ed said in this article this song is not discrimenating aganst anyone it is simply stating the truth. I my self have gay friend.and to tell you the truth sometimes they are funner to be around than my regular friends but i still do not agree with who they decide to be with. i think every radio should play this song.
Love this song, in total agreement with everything Ed has written in his comment. Love you Guys, just keep on blessing us with heartfelt music!
AMEN - ED - you guys keep on keepin on
I knew this song was the truth the first time I heard it. Having homosexual family members makes family reunions very interesting, but I have never told them anything but the truth about what I believe concerning their lifestyle. And I have never shown them anything other than kindness and love as family members. Ed you and the guys keep up the good work!
ps; why no picture of Chad?
Why no picture with Chad? Well, as you know, we have been on the road quite alot lately and during the time we were not on the road, I was on my honeymoon. And then there is the fact that Chad is still living in central Florida and we fly him home as soon as we return to Nashville so he can be with his family as much as possible (they will be moving to Nashville on April 1st), So, we have not had time to have a photo shoot since Chad has joined the quartet. And when the article was posted they obviously just used the other photo they had on file of the quartet.
Ed, it is long time coming for all believers to stand up and speak the word as God intended! I enjoy ya'lls song. Don't be discouraged!!!
HEY GUYS I TRIED TO GET YOUR SONG PLAYED ON RADIO.SORRY I FAILED.
Guys, you KNOW how I feel about the song, I want the world to hear it! Shout it from the Mountaintops!
HEY ITS TIME TO SHOW OFF THE NEW MEMBER CHAD RILEY.I HEARD THEY SOMETHING ABOUT MYSTERY MEN ON GOSPEL GREATS LAST NITE.
Ed is so right in regards to standing up for the truth...I love the song Come On Down To The Farm...Keep on telling the truth Mystery Men. Jane
That song is awesome and so true, I for one think there is nothing wrong with the song.
FYI for all of you who believe in the song we have just received word that it has been banned by yet another company that claims to be a christian broadcasting network. The company will go unmentioned but we would like to say, if you do not like the song fine but it seems a bit hypocritical to say we are no going to play it because of the message. Are we going to make a stand or are we going to once again turn our face away from the truth of the gospel.
Ed, WE LOVE THAT SONG AND WE THINK YOU NEED TO KEEP ON STANDING FIRM. DONT LET ANYONE PUSH YOU OTHERWISE. WE STAND WITH YOU AND THINK YOU NEED TO KEEP ON PLAYING/SINGING THAT SONG INFACT MAKE ANOTHER ONE SIMILAR . THE DEVIL IS RUNNING RAMPID SO STAND FIRM MY FRIEND LOVE YOU ED, BRENDA AND EARL
Amen Brother ED,Lay it on the line!! It is going to come that we as preachers aren't going to be able to stand in the pulpit & call sin sin. That is if these LIBERALS in the pulpits,congress& senate and you know who in Washington, has their way.It will be a hate crime and we will be put in jail.We are living in the days as Lot when God destroyed Sodom & Gemorrah. If homosexuality doesn't destroy America as Billy Graham said: He will have to apologize to Sodom& Gomorrah.I say preach it Brother while we still have time.I say amen, we can love the sinner and not condone the sin. Brother you can count on me jumping on the bandwagon, on this
I agree with Ed I have folks that live that way,I don't hate them but I don't like that life style cause my bible says it is called sin. Now radio stations you need to play this song. Keep on singing it guys, behind you 100%
There is your result of NOT being willing to stand up for the Biblical Truths. Yet the song is too offensive to play. Amazing!
I too have gay friends that I dearly love. I agree with you that it doesn't change the fact. It isn't a judgement call on my part. Lord only know I have problems to work out on my own but I never call right wrong. I am grateful to God that there are still those like you who will stand up for Jesus without regard to the worldly consequences, and I likewise thank you for your efforts in proclaiming his message in song.
We are CHRISTIANS! The worldly consequences are NOTHING compared to the ETERNAL consequences! The worldly rewards are NOTHING compared to the HEAVENLY rewards! To Ed and The Mystery Men, you have had my support since the day I met you, you will continue to have my support. Remember Brother Casto's sermon, when it comes to what the world thinks; WHO CARES? Worldly consequences? WHO CARES? I care what the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the Holy of Holies, the Great I AM, I care what HE will ask me when I stand with my life laid bare before the Judgement Seat. I care what HE thinks. Here is the true problem, there is too little fear of God Almighty in the WORLD. I fear GOD and I fear HELL. You have a choice today, people, to serve the world or to serve GOD. Joshua made a choice. I made a choice, AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE; WE WILL SERVE THE LORD! PRAISE GOD!
Well, here we go…As a young man, one of the hardest things for me to get a grip on was the fact that God loved Adolf Hitler as much as He did Billy Graham. Now, I am certain He was not pleased with Hitler’s life but this has nothing to do with His love for him. For, John 3:16 tells us God so loved the world He gave …. This means He loved everyone.
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