“Oh well, we are all sinners after all.” This lame religious excuse may be heard coming from the adulterous spouse and/or other Christian “apologists” seeking “neutral” ground in this situation. While it sounds wise and caring, it is really an extremely poor application of Biblical truth to the situation. Can you imagine accepting this from … Continue reading ““Well, we are all sinners.””
Category: Forgiveness
Was Jesus Being “Unforgiving” In Matthew 18?
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you…. and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” -Jesus in Matthew 18:15a, 17b, NIV Was Jesus Being “Unforgiving” To Demand the Sinner Listen To His/Her Victim? Christians often … Continue reading “Was Jesus Being “Unforgiving” In Matthew 18?”
Rebuke First
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” -Luke 17:3b-4, NIV Some may argue from these words that forgiveness does not happen unless … Continue reading “Rebuke First”
Truth as Punishment
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”-Matthew 12:36-37, NIV When reconstructing one’s narrative, truth can be both freeing and punishing. It is punishing … Continue reading “Truth as Punishment”
A Metaphor Regarding Forgiveness
“And the second [greatest commandment] is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” -Jesus in Matthew 22:39, NIV Even with the betrayal being fresh, religious people are apt to tell a faithful spouse of their obligation to forgive their adulterous spouse. The charge of “unforgiving” or “bitter” are always close at hand for religious people … Continue reading “A Metaphor Regarding Forgiveness”
Don’t Build A “Smiting Shelter”
Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. – Jonah 4:5, NIV And so, Jonah built himself a shelter to watch God, hopefully, smite the Ninevites. He made a … Continue reading “Don’t Build A “Smiting Shelter””
Helping A Shattered Spouse
A Christian brother comes over one night. He crumples onto your couch tears overflowing. Through his heaving sobs, you learn his wife has left him and is having sex with another man. The hollow and desperate look in his eyes tears at your heart. What can you do? I will start with the negative first. These dangerous responses … Continue reading “Helping A Shattered Spouse”
Mailbag: If you have wronged someone you should seek to make amends to that person?
Another comment I am answering for today’s post: DM, Thank you for your encouragement. It has given me strength along with other Christ centered people around me to see my X Husband for who he really is. So 14 months post d’Day and my Ex stated to me today that he has moved on (with … Continue reading “Mailbag: If you have wronged someone you should seek to make amends to that person?”
Pre-Pigsty Prodigal or Post-Pigsty Prodigal…Continued
More Lessons from “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” My post yesterday drew lessons from “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” found in Luke 15:11-32 regarding discerning whether or not one’s adulterous spouse is exhibiting the behavior exhibited by the prodigal son post-pigsty (click here to view post). This post is a continuation of that … Continue reading “Pre-Pigsty Prodigal or Post-Pigsty Prodigal…Continued”
Pre-Pigsty Prodigal OR Post-Pigsty Prodigal?
Lessons from “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” In Luke 15:11-32, we have the famous parable about the prodigal son. It is a story with two sons and a father who welcomes the younger son back after he wasted his inheritance on “wild living” (Luke 15:13b, NIV). This story lives in our pop culture when … Continue reading “Pre-Pigsty Prodigal OR Post-Pigsty Prodigal?”