Gee, what to do with a pastor’s blog? Many things, I suppose. One idea is the “cutting room floor”, that is, writing about an additional item or two that didn’t make it into the sermon. Another idea is addressing some relevant issue, or talking about a current church endeavor. And sure enough, this blog has been used for those types of things in the past, and more.
Well, this is my first entry, and I’ve decided to (partially) address some practical discussions stemming from my last sermon.
During last Sunday’s service we looked at the challenging words in Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49). Jesus primarily spoke in general terms, and it’s a good sign to hear people wondering about applying his commands in various difficult circumstances. So let’s get practical. Jesus said, “Give to everyone who begs from you” (Luke 6:30). I travelled quite a bit for business over the last 16 years, and I definitely struggled knowing how to obey this command in the best way. My last experience occurred in Brooklyn in December. I was exiting a corner grocery store with my dinner, and someone asked me for money. I declined to give cash, but I offered food instead. In response, this lady wrinkled her nose, declined, and quickly walked away. In this case I felt like I had done the right thing, even though I didn’t offer the exact thing she had requested. But there are many difficult situations like this, and worse yet, they often surprise you and find you unprepared.
It is true that as believers, Jesus gives difficult commands that we cannot shirk, but we also need to be wise concerning how to fulfill these commands in the most helpful way possible.
A question concerning forgiveness and divorce might also emerge (although I hope this never becomes a practical matter in anyone’s life!). Does the command to forgive mean that a person whose spouse has committed adultery must remain married to this spouse? No, for Jesus elsewhere allows for divorce in the case of sexual immorality (Matt. 5:32, 19:9). Furthermore, the apostle Paul speaks of the desertion of an unbelieving spouse similarly (1 Cor. 7:15), which might be considered another legitimate ground for divorce that Jesus didn’t mention, but it’s probably better to consider desertion the destruction of the marriage itself.
In the history of the Christian church, occasionally some believers have argued that Jesus’ call to forgive others overrules these passages on divorce. And we should sympathize with their concern not to weaken Jesus’ challenging words to forgive. This is good. Nevertheless, since our Lord and the apostle Paul have freed the injured party in this way, it would be unwise for us demand more. But this does not mean the injured spouse can cherish a condemning attitude (“may my ex-wife/ex-husband burn in hell!”; see Luke 6:37), for it is exactly here where one must hope for better things, including repentance and salvation. Yes, it is possible that personal forgiveness could be achieved even without restoration of the marriage.
Of course, there are other important matters, too, such as the physical abuse of a marital partner. For a detailed look at this and many other issues surrounding divorce and remarriage, you may see our denomination’s 1992 position paper here. (It’s a long document, so you might need to search on the specific words that interest you.)
May we all understand better how to follow Jesus.
