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”
Category: Forgiveness
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?”
It Might Look Good Now…
Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish …. And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—for I … Continue reading “It Might Look Good Now…”
Is Adultery the Unpardonable Sin?
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” -Jesus to the Disciples, John 20:23, ESV Is Adultery the Unpardonable Sin? Short answer: No. Adultery is pardonable. But an awful sin has happened that needs pardoning.* What does obtaining a pardon mean? Pardon in … Continue reading “Is Adultery the Unpardonable Sin?”
Please, Faithful Spouses, Find A Christian Advisor With A Backbone!
These last few days I have heard/read stories about Christian counselors who have failed to directly addressed adultery. They have avoided the awkward conversation insisting upon full disclosure or full commitment to rebuilding the marriage from the adulterous spouse. And these individuals have cited various reasons for this. This angers me! I know how it … Continue reading “Please, Faithful Spouses, Find A Christian Advisor With A Backbone!”
Hanging Over Their Heads Forever?
“Even if she cheats on me, I will forgive her and take her back,” Desperate Husband said. “Well, that’s no marriage. You would just hold that over her head forever,” said Mr. Worldly-Minded. This is a real exchange that I had with someone prior to discovering the irrefutable evidence of my former spouse’s adultery. I … Continue reading “Hanging Over Their Heads Forever?”
Lessons From His Scars
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop … Continue reading “Lessons From His Scars”
We can still be friends, right? Wrong.
“You are my friends if you do what I command.” -Jesus speaking in John 15:14, NIV Friendship is a selective relationship. It is a relationship built on trust and mutual admiration. Not everyone I know is my friend. They need to pass the cut. As we read from this quoted Scripture, Jesus did not call … Continue reading “We can still be friends, right? Wrong.”
The Christmas Story Instructing Us On Adultery And Divorce
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. – Matthew … Continue reading “The Christmas Story Instructing Us On Adultery And Divorce”
Proscribing Patience For Adulterous Spouses But None For Faithful Spouses
In my trial to keep my license as a minister, a focus of the questions was about whether or not I had forgiven my ex-wife. This is a fair question to ask a minister. Bitterness in the pulpit is a dangerous thing. And we are commanded to forgive. However, the accompanying piece was conspicuously absent. … Continue reading “Proscribing Patience For Adulterous Spouses But None For Faithful Spouses”