Don't Scream at Those Confessing and Looking for Help
What's breaking my heart today: Backlash against people confessing their fallenness.
Yesterday a mother posted on The Gospel Coalition about her initial reaction when her white daughter came home with a black boyfriend. It was a response full of prejudice. In her post, she essentially confesses this and shares what she learned. What's the response? Torrential anger and condemnation. Isn't that what we're supposed to do, confess our sins? I'm not saying it's a perfect post, but if we're supposed to have "an honest conversation," how can that happen when someone who admits they were wrong gets destroyed in media, social media, and even from within the Christian community? I'm grateful for a man like Thabiti Anyabwile willing to thank this woman for her honesty and vulnerability.
Yesterday a mother posted on The Gospel Coalition about her initial reaction when her white daughter came home with a black boyfriend. It was a response full of prejudice. In her post, she essentially confesses this and shares what she learned. What's the response? Torrential anger and condemnation. Isn't that what we're supposed to do, confess our sins? I'm not saying it's a perfect post, but if we're supposed to have "an honest conversation," how can that happen when someone who admits they were wrong gets destroyed in media, social media, and even from within the Christian community? I'm grateful for a man like Thabiti Anyabwile willing to thank this woman for her honesty and vulnerability.
Then today, Life of Dad
posted an anonymous message from a married father of two interested in
having an affair with a coworker when his wife leaves town to visit
family in two weeks. Most the responses are solid answers telling him
not to do it and various things to do (go with the wife, transfer
departments, get a new job, etc.) to work towards rectifying the
situation. But a few few people went the route of calling him "scum"
and whatnot. Is he scum for thinking about this? Yeah, maybe.
Probably? But he's confessing this and open for help. Is this the time
to destroy him? No! It's time to encourage him to do the right thing.
(I'm new to this site/page and don't know if there is any Christian
background whatsoever to it.)
When people come forward in humility confessing their sins, their brokenness, their darkest moments, the Bible tells us to be compassionate and to forgive (Ephesians 4:32), encourage (Hebrews 3:13), instruct on what do do (Romans 15:14), and join them in humility (Philippians 2:3). Our responses to other people in their moments of vulnerability are powerful and will either guide towards reconciliation or further sin.
When people come forward in humility confessing their sins, their brokenness, their darkest moments, the Bible tells us to be compassionate and to forgive (Ephesians 4:32), encourage (Hebrews 3:13), instruct on what do do (Romans 15:14), and join them in humility (Philippians 2:3). Our responses to other people in their moments of vulnerability are powerful and will either guide towards reconciliation or further sin.
Comments
Post a Comment