Considering the Future Path Back

Scripture: Jesus said, “Moses wrote this command only as a concession to your hardhearted ways. In the original creation, God made male and female to be together. Because of this, a man leaves father and mother, and in marriage he becomes one flesh with a woman—no longer two individuals, but forming a new unity. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.” Mark 10:5-9

Observation: The Pharisees have asked Jesus about marriage, and Jesus gives a response that is vague enough that the disciples later ask for clarification. There is conflicting guidance on the matter ... the Lord intends for a man and a woman to come together without separation, yet Moses created a precept that allows for divorce. Jesus explains why ... Moses knew that people were hardhearted and could not comply with the true law.

This is difficult to understand, but the logic seems to be as follows. The Lord has commands and precepts and laws we are to comply with. However, when he knows we cannot do it, he sometimes makes a provision out of his mercy that allows us to remain close to him and perhaps later discover his truth and love, instead of simply throwing us into the darkness. He doesn't remove the existence of the law or even deny its negative ramifications, but in his mercy he provides a path back from the shame of the sin.

Application: I sin often, and I am so glad I am not thrown into the darkness. Instead, I have salvation through Jesus, and by my faith in Jesus I receive forgiveness. That doesn't mean I don't sin, nor does it mean I won't sin again unfortunately, and it absolutely doesn't mean my sin isn't wrong or it has no consequences. It means the Lord made a way for me to find my way back to him.

Eventually, maybe soon, maybe in a few years, or maybe a generation or two from now ... we are going to have a LOT of people who are living with the guilt and shame and remorse over the principles under which they lived their early life, and we - the Church - are going to need a way for them to reconcile to God and give their faith to Jesus. That doesn't mean embracing sin, but it does mean ... a process or method or logical path someone can easily take, without shame and earthly judgment, to rediscover God's love.

I don't think "embracing" or "approving" or "endorsing" the sin itself is the way. Neither do I think a process that would involve public denouncements or requiring an overt act of repentance is the way. It will need to involve a relationship between the person involved and the Lord, and trusting in that relationship, allowing that their faith simply exists and is real, just like we do with everyone else we baptize. However, the entry path - the starting point of that process - will need some divine guidance. I do not know where the church leader who can define such a path can be found anymore.

Prayer: Lord, this is my greatest fear for the young generation today. Not that they are behaving as they are, but that there is no path of return for them. Please do not leave them lost forever. Today's bad decisions cannot be eternal, but a future good decision can be. I pray you help us all in creating and supporting the path to that future good decision. Amen.