I am Troubled by…

[Jesus said,]10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 18:10-14 (NIV)

In the past 10 years or so, every time I have read this passage of Scripture from Luke, I am stabbed through the heart with memories of pastors & people I know who have added “homosexuals” or some other group of “sinners” to the list of sinners not welcome in their congregations.

Homosexuality is not a sin that satan throws repeatedly in my face because he knows that it is not a temptation for me. It is a waste of his energy & time to use that to pull me away from God!

However, he has several other options like:

• having a glass of wine when its offered to me. My college years tell me that 1 glass is not enough!
• sending me extra stress or some extra pain. Food is a comfort blanket that I will reach out & grab!
• I have been known to…prevaricate (lie!) a bit to avoid a disagreement. Which often makes a situation worse in the long run!
• And anger?! Some day I will write a whole blog (or 3-4) about that!

I have sins that I bring to worship or to my daily prayer time. Bowing, confessing & giving thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice that covers these sins & reconciles me back to His arms once again.

Church for me is like the hospitals I worked in & with for over 40 years. No matter how many bumps, breaks, or illnesses someone may have in a lifetime, the hospital was there to restore. There weren’t exclusions. Church, a fellowship of Believers in Jesus, is a hospital to restore – not a museum for those who think themselves perfected creations ready to be set up on a pedestal in a pew with other perfected Christians! I come to church to be encouraged, convicted, taught & restored! And I don’t expect all of that from whoever is the “pastor.” I am part of a group of Believers like Paul spoke about in his letter to the Corinthians, the Romans, Ephesians & Philippians. And the writer of Hebrews spoke:

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10: 24-25 (NIV)

This passage says we are Believers in Christ who are going to be “beat up” in this world, especially as days go on & we need Jesus’ encouragement & love, His love from our fellow Believers. We should keep meeting together, as banged up & bruised as we may be. We encourage each other to confess our sins to God. We spur one another along, no matter what the sin may be. Is one sin worse than another? That’s what I was taught as a child. That teaching was wrong. Sin is sin in God’s eyes.

Jesus called us to learn from Him & build the Church. We aren’t perfect. He knew that! He admonished us to pray & repent when we sin. And He promised us He would send the Spirit & would always be with us to teach, guide, forgive & restore.