Recently I sat in a church sanctuary waiting for my son while cameras flashed snapping pictures of boys in uniform. I smiled at my son standing in the front row. Then I began to frown as the words from a heated voice deep in conversation with the minister began to register in my mind. A man in uniform was talking about how he was leaving the organization because next it would be allowing those people to openly serve as leaders. He went on the say that there is a new Christan organization he was going to move to and urge the minister to check it out on-line. The minister's response was that they should start something there.
I don't know about you, but it's really hard for me to remember all the exceptions in the Bible. You know, "God so loves that world that gave his only begotten son that whomever believes in him", except them and them and don't forget them, "will not parish but shall have eternal life." As Christians we are called to be fishers of men, well, except those men. And to "love one another", except those people, "like yourself." As my daughter would say, it's all very confuzzling.
Listening to the judgmental words swirling around the two men, so many thoughts flashed through my mind. Has this guy ever looked at pornography, or a woman other than his wife in a lustful way? Did he have premarital sex? Is he divorced? If so, he definitely is not morally fit to lead MY son. That last line is sarcasm folks. Personally, I need daily forgiveness for stumbling from the straight and narrow path. If it's not one of the commandments tripping me up, it's a stealthy deadly sin. Maybe you can relate.
Sitting in the pew, I really wanted to stand up and shout, Pharisee! Hmm ... but that would have been just a smidge holier-than-thou, huh. Another Christian giving Christians a bad name. Instead I will pray that Jesus will continue to work on the hearts of Christians, myself included, so that we can love one another like He loves us, everyone, even those people, unconditionally. Even if we don't agree with each others politics, lifestyles, profession, or way of expressing ourselves, like latest choice of hair color or tattoo.
I will also continue to pose these questions to my children when we witness scenes like this: Who do you think Jesus would friend if he were to come today? Who are the oppressed and marginalized in the world today? Who are the oppressors and persecutors?
I'm so thankful God is the one sorting us out! Otherwise, I have a feeling heaven would be pretty barren place indeed.
11/1
I saw this today and had to add.
