Confusion. We all hate it. That’s why most of us gravitate
toward defining things in terms of right and wrong, black and
white, or good and bad.
Confusion. We all hate it. That’s why most of us gravitate toward defining things in terms of right and wrong, black and white, or good and bad. Unfortunately, the world we live in sometimes refuses to fall into such convenient categories. Black and white often merge into gray. What are we to do when the lines blur and the way we should go does not seem clear?
We should first do an honest evaluation of our heart. When the decision involves something we really want to do, it is easy to fool ourselves into thinking that God has given us no clear direction in that area. In reality, most of the choices we face are discussed in the Bible, and while the specifics aren’t laid out, God’s principles can easily be applied to our circumstances. Some things really are black and white. Areas such as integrity, honesty, stealing, sexual morality and so forth are “no-brainers,” yet many of us seek to rationalize our violation of these principles because we want to ignore God and follow our own desires. We then create elaborate smoke screens to hide behind.
Nevertheless, there are times where we need to think carefully before making a decision. Jesus was often cast in such situations because his enemies constantly sought to discredit him. A classic example is found in chapter eight of the Gospel of John. They brought a woman to him who had been caught in the act of adultery. “What shall we do with her?” they asked. If Jesus were to tell them to forgive and release her, he would be guilty of contradicting the Mosaic Law and give them grounds to condemn him, but if he were to uphold the Law and demand her punishment, then they would point to his lack of compassion as evidence that he did not care about people as much as he said he did.
They thought they had confused Jesus and painted him into a corner, but the Lord’s real challenge here wasn’t the one his enemies had set up; his concern was how to honor the Mosaic Law while at the same time bringing hope and an opportunity for redemption to the woman. So he responded to their trap by turning their own evil against them. While God’s Law clearly condemned adultery, it also just as clearly condemned acting out of false motives. Jesus knew the real reason they had brought the woman to him and so did they, so without denying the validity of the Law, he simply asked that whoever in the crowd was without sin be the one to cast the first stone. Thus it was his enemies who left confused and muttering to themselves, leaving Jesus and the woman there alone. He offered her forgiveness and a second chance, and she went away much closer to God than those who brought her!
Jesus’ response was not an attempt to nullify God’s Law or validate her sin. He wanted her (and us!) to learn that God’s Laws are designed to help us, not harm us. He used a similar argument to justify healing on the Sabbath when he pointed out, “the Sabbath was made to benefit people, and not people to benefit the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). We need to see God’s laws for what they are: Tools that protect, empower and free us; they are not to be seen as tools to manipulate and destroy people.
You and I will sometimes find ourselves in situations where we want to uphold God’s holiness while at same time show love and compassion for someone who is mired in sin and traveling down a path that will only end in pain and heartache. The only way we can accomplish this is by keeping our own hearts close to God, but you and I both know that can be quite a challenge. Sometimes life, and even the will of God, can confuse us. Next week we will look at the three primary causes of confusion. The source may surprise you!
Henry Harris is Senior Pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church, 330 Tres Pinos Road. If you have questions or comments, visit the church’s Web site at rollinghillsfamily.com, e-mail pa*********@****************ly.com or call 831-636-5353.
