Dating : Sin ≠ Capital Punishment

If you are repulsed by the above tweet then you join me and many others in shock and disgust.

Not because someone has thought this (though that in itself is scary), but because some thought about it, typed it out, checked it for spelling mistakes and then hit the blue post button to send it out into the ends of the earth to be seen by all. What makes it ‘worse’ is that he is a minister of the gospel.

A preacher, a teacher, a shepherd, and counsellor to many. The question comes as to whether he thinks this of his church members when they have run-ins with the law.

Jesus is quick to condemn those who believe they can justify injustice with personal sin. In Luke 13:1–5, we see him strongly challenge those who believe that 18 people who were crushed to death when a tower collapsed, were slaughtered in such a violent manner because they personally had sinned in a violent manner.

“Do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?”

The rhetorical question lays out the obvious. The answer is no.

The importance of remembering this is important at all times.

To believe such a thing is to misunderstand the character and nature of God.

Rape ≠ divine punishment for alcohol abuse.

Racism ≠ divine punishment for laziness.

Capital Punishment ≠ divine punishment for ‘sleeping with your boyfriend’.

Christianity is like other worldviews. The objective isn’t to convince people to believe it, rather we are to respond in love at ALL times. You don’t have to choose between rebuke/harsh words/firmness and love. Both through prayer and wisdom are possible. Grow in love, not a big head peeps.

The tweet was humbling as I too far too often believe things about God that are false. I too often have hurt people with false beliefs and false hopes. But once again this all points to Christ. Christ our redeemer, Christ our teacher, Christ our only hope.