It is always true: we have sinned against God more than anyone has sinned against us. Which means our suffering does not excuse our sinning.
And yet, it is also true that every sinner is in some way, often in profound ways, a great sufferer.
This does not justify the sin, but ought to give us some compassion for the sinner.
Have you ever wanted people to give you the benefit of the doubt? Have you you ever had “one of those days,” and hoped that others would cut you some slack? Have you ever gone through a hard time that left you exhausted, frayed, and afraid? Have we ever considered that we may not know everything going on in someone’s life?
People tire of the slogan: hate the sin and love the sinner. Maybe we can get at the same idea by saying: hate the sin and hate the suffering. Life is hard, and the hardest people have often had the hardest life. Confrontation and consolation–that was the ministry of Jesus. It should be our ministry too.
What good news that God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Are we?
Published on December 12, 2014 02:53