Kelly and I missed the opening ceremonies, not on purpose, time just got away from us, but we sure heard about it. Since it’s been a week, I don’t need to rehash it all here, but I do think I need to point out that two different Christian stances I see on the internet may both be biblical!
We all saw images of a fleshly display that resembled:
The Last Supper as painted by DaVinci; or a feast of Dionysus (Baacus) the god of wine,
said later to have just been an artsy protest against the ruling about transgender athletes.
The first news stories and social media posts I saw from both, my friends and from big Christian names, were all shining the light of exposure, pointing out the disgrace of such a shameful display and mockery. The focus was on the deeds as was Paul’s in Ephesians 5:
” Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:6-14)
Shortly after that round of finger shaking there was another round of news stories and posts from both other friends and other big Christian names sort scolding those “prophetic voices” and pointing out that Jesus ate with people like that, Jesus came to redeem people like that, Jesus died for people like that:
“When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?” And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:16-17)“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
How can both be right? Well the deeds, whatever they were intending, were shameful and certainly not something we should be condoning. At the same time the people involved are each image bearers and need our love and need our Savior. So, both things can be true at once. Tone matters, but that’s always hard because the mercy leaning folks will always think the prophet’s tone is too harsh and the prophets will always hear mercy’s voice as weak, but God speaks with both voices and we need to respect that He gifted His church with both types of people! Thank God that His mercy and grace is deep and wide enough to engulf all of our different and very strong feelings! 🙂
Pastor Scott
P.S. Paul reminds us in a different book that it’s God’s job to judge the world; we need to focus on keeping our own house clean!
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves. (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)
Grace Notes 