I Must Confess, I Want A "Get Out of Jail Free" Card...

12-22-2013

Did Jesus forgive sin, or excuse it?  Is there a difference?

There seems, at least to me, to be a movement within some Christian circles to soften Jesus’ stance on sin.  And I have to confess… I’ve done it too when I thought someone needed to hear the hope that there is forgiveness for any sin except for blasphemy of the Spirit, and I’m even willing to bet that so long as that’s not a person’s last act in this world, there’s a chance that God forgives that too (but that is a personally held hope, not a scripturally proven belief).  I want people to know that God is a God of love and forgiveness… of mercy and grace.  And I want more and more people to come and be a part of that community born of grace… but do we cheapen grace by saying, “It’s okay!  Anything you’re currently doing is fine!  God forgives!” and leave it at that?

God indeed forgives, and Jesus is certainly proof of that.  As we know, he hung out with the dregs of his society… consorted with tax collectors, thieves, and prostitutes… wouldn’t stone a woman caught in adultery… made wine at a party (and it was the good stuff)… He didn’t seem to “hate on” his disciples if they were less that 100% in line with “tradition” or the “man-made” rules; but should all of this evidence lead us to believe that Jesus was “okay” with sin?

The “flip-side” of that coin is the place where some in the Kingdom seem to be on permanent “seek and destroy” missions in waging the war against sin.  Now this is something I have also been guilty of in my life; particularly, early in my walk with God.  I suppose that the pendulum swings pretty far in either direction before it starts to move back to the center and then on to the other side again for most of us.  Is it enough to say that God hates sin and leave it at that?

And are we carrying the discussion far enough if we stop there?

My understanding of scripture is limited to my own boundaries of comprehension.  My preaching is limited by those same boundaries.  But I still work at the task of trying to learn and preach more, because I am so enamored by this love letter that God has given us.  Because I want to understand God better, I pray and read, and enter into relationships with others through whom this Infinite Being allows glimpses of revelation to this finite creature writing to you now.  There is a place where I realize that as a pastor, called and sent to share the Gospel news, I have the responsibility of sharing a message of such vital importance that I dare not do so lightly.  I never take the responsibility less than seriously, even though I hardly ever take myself that way.  That being said though, I know that even though every bit of the evidence that I have so far presented as to Jesus’ willingness to be in relationship with sinners is true; however, it is incomplete if it isn’t told with the understanding that wherever Jesus went, sinners were also told by Him to “repent” or to “go and sin no more”… their lives were changed.  He met them where they were, but wasn’t satisfied to leave them in those places.

Make no mistake, Jesus is loving.  And Jesus indeed forgives, but Jesus also honors others’ choices in regard to whether they accepted His directives.  He was very traditional, heck, even ultra-conservative in his observance of Jewish law (see Matt. 5:17-20).  He was often accused of infraction and law breaking, but there is no evidence that He did.  There is (legitimate, scholarly) debate as to whether the “winebibber” actually drank “alcoholic” wine.  (And there is an argument to be made that He didn’t… but that’s for a different post)

He didn’t run after the rich young ruler in his “head-slumped, going away in sadness” moment and say “It’s okay, come back and you can keep all your stuff!”  He didn’t tell the woman at the well, “It’s okay to continue your life in the ways you want to.”  He never condemned her, but in this (not at all by chance) meeting, she was changed and began to live her life in different ways… ways that brought life not only to her, but to those whom she shared this “Jesus guy” with. 

Jesus also accepted invitations to dine with people who obviously had means.  He healed the children of the affluent and of those within the Roman power structure.  When he admonished the “legalists” of His day, he went so far as to say to the crowds gathered, “Do as they say, but not as they do…” (Matt. 23: 3-12)  He didn’t condemn or discount the Scriptures, but put the people who were adding to the burdens of those under their authority on notice… he was calling the Pharisees and Sadducees to “go and sin no more” as well.  All while affirming that the revealed Word of God (or Torah for the Jewish audience he spoke to) was valid and viable as a guide to live by.  (Jesus’ own words indicate this…)  He truly did seek to reach the entire world.

He advocated praying in private… but led public prayer, and taught it.  So maybe he denounced “prayers for publicity” as opposed to “public prayer”.  Yes Jesus was a radical, but He wasn’t a law breaker.  He was merciful, but was a judge or how could he forgive sin?  As to marriage, homosexuality, and any of the myriad “hot-button” issues that affect the human condition… he was never “anti” anything, but rather was always “pro” the will of God.  He made pretty bold claims as to the intent of God’s purpose for the positives in life. 

Marriage and divorce (and also speaking to the question of same sex marriage without saying the “word”)? Matt 19: 3-6.  Taxes and the government systems that supported them and the death penalty?  Matt 22: 20-22.  When directly asked “are you the one we’ve been waiting for?”… He answered in the affirmative.  He didn’t say the words directly as we would understand them now; but the way He phrased his answer would have definitely been understood by the audience of His day as a direct “yes.”  (Matt 11: 4-5)

I know that I am not the first to ask these questions, or to make these statements.  I also know that my friends who fall into a more or less “liberal” school of thought will probably experience some discomfort at my proclamations that we have a responsibility to say out loud that sin exists and we need to repent.  But before my friends of a more “conservative” leaning begin to cheer too loudly… Know that even as Jesus didn’t chase after the rich young ruler to tell him it was okay to do what he wanted to; neither did he chase after him berating him for his short comings and reminding him every chance he got that he would burn in eternal hellfire.  He didn't lash out at Nicodemus for coming in the dark, and leaving in the same manner. (John 3)  He never cast Judas out of the fellowship in spite of the betrayal He knew was coming…

The long and short of it is that both sides are right; but neither is exclusively right.  Both sides have a part of the balance that needs the other to keep from spinning off into a quagmire of extremism.  Jesus never made excuses for sin… He would forgive it when someone asked.  He never cast anyone away… nor would He force them to stay with Him against their will.  He warned that how we judge is how we will be judged, but I can’t find where we are not to use good judgment when dealing with things that can keep us from knowing the fullness of God.  There is a peace that comes with balance.  And balance helps to ensure we can maintain peace.  They go hand in hand.  But I suppose when dealing with things of such passionate importance it can become difficult to remain balanced can’t it?

In the end, I find that given the choice between “right” and “mercy” if you choose mercy, you will always be right.  It is after all what that hippie from Galilee, Jesus, did... staunch conservative that he was. 

God bless!