To Cast Stones

I sit, listen to the hum of voices carrying words and wonder, ache and long to speak the thoughts that float, but not at this moment, it wouldn't be helpful

So,

Words come, I pen them.

Words spoken in hurt, spew forth in frustration, uncertainty, anger and fear.

If we cast stones at the wounded sinner in our family - God's family -  what does that say to the outsider looking in?

Do they see the mercy of God, the forgiveness of Christ?

We cannot ignore sin, or brush it aside, but there is a way to walk with the sinner, to lead them to repentance, point them to Christ. There are consequences for sin and sometimes, they are far reaching.

Touching the lives of those who had no knowledge of the act.

It is our response to that: the sin, the consequences that sets the family of God apart from the world.

Even in the middle of the shock, the repercussions, God is sovereign and causes things to come to light in His timing.

So we need to pray, to commit the sinner to Him who judges justly and for God's amazing glory to be displayed.

My heart aches for those involved for it is easy to start down a path we had no intention of being on, but by the time you realize you are in so far and sliding so fast there seems to be no way out, no way to reach for help.

That step into sin, it is the same for everyone; one choice, one decision is all it takes. Yet we live in a society where there are comfortable sins, even within the church.

Greed, anger, pride, selfishness.

While others still cause ripples of shock.

But is one really any different from the other?

When I lose patience and peak (yell!) in anger or respond out of hurt or selfishness my heart is in the same spot as that of an adulterer, murderer or thief.

We don't want to be seen as the same - because who wants to be lumped into that category? Yet we ARE the same.

Our hearts have turned from God and we have chosen self over Him.

So how can I cast stones when I am just as sinful, just as guilty?

How does one address the seriousness of the sin while showing love? How does one assure those struggling with the injustice that it is a serious matter and it is being dealt with accordingly , while still displaying the mercy of God?

Because, through Jesus, through the cross, it is possible to come along in love without approving of the actions.

*Wrote this awhile ago, wrestled with posting it. Didn't want to give details but wanted to share the thought process.
There's been stuff going on in various circles and it got me thinking. The above was my response to it. To the questions of what is 'right' or 'wrong' in the way to react to the different situations, in the way the family of God needs to be concerned with relationships and restoration - not firstly about the effect to self or how to work it out so we (I) am not put out by the things that have come to light and the consequences of those actions.*