OF PIGS AND DOGS

January 30, 2014

 

I’ve had two challenging interactions with friends recently over how we, as Christians, should respond to the world.   A dear, and very bright, sister in Christ expressed concern about unnecessarily offending and judging others by our actions, or reactions, to them.  Specifically, she made reference to the case in Oregon where a couple who owned a bakery refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple.  Their refusal clearly offended that couple.  Did giving them offense serve a defensible purpose?  The second interaction involved the concerns of a brother in Christ over falling into the trap of labeling and, perhaps, in a sense, dehumanizing those whose sins offend us.  For instance, treating the militant LGBT community as the enemy, and, in the process, failing to differentiate between the sin and the sinner.  Could we not, in the process of that, fall into the trap of condemning their offensive militancy even as we were practicing our own? 

In light of these very legitimate concerns, allow me to share a few observations.

First, scripture makes it very clear that it is not within our purview to harshly judge.  Jesus expressly forbids such judging in Matthew 7:1,2.  He not only forbids it, but attaches a warning that, should we indulge is such judging, we will find ourselves judged in the same manner.  Paul, in 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 will similarly caution against judging, warning that we are not equipped to step into that role.

Secondly, the word of God vehemently denounces objectifying and dehumanizing other human beings.  The book of Philemon is written by Paul to motivate Philemon to see Onesimus not as a slave, which to the Roman world would be something less than human, but rather as a brother. In Matthew 5:28 Jesus will attach the sin of adultery to one who would look lustfully upon a woman in his heart.  Turning females (and males) into “sex objects”, which is exactly what pornography does, is very dangerous business spiritually. 

Thirdly, while we are neither to judge nor objectify, that does not mean we are to blithely ignore sin or its consequences – quite the opposite.  In Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus will emphasize the importance of “fruit” inspection.  We are not to harshly judge others, but at the same time it is vital that we consider the fruit, good or bad, being produced by their lives.  Also, while we are not to critically judge others, we have a responsibility to discipline brothers and sisters in Christ whose lives are reflecting deliberate rebellion against His will (see 1 Corinthians 5 and 2 Thessalonians 3). Thus, we must not only evaluate the sinful actions of others, there are times when we are called upon to strongly react to them (1 Corinthians 5:1-7).

Fourthly, we need to speak the truth in love as Paul urges in Ephesians 4:15. Some read this as saying, in essence, that we must therefore not give offense to anyone.  But I believe that is a misreading and misapplication of what Paul is urging.  Agape is to seek the highest good of another.  It is not to emotionally coddle.  Speaking the truth can be challenging, and in the minds of some, offensive.  It is just as wrong to avoid truth in the name of civility as it is to use truth as a hammer with which to beat someone.  If we never confront others over their sin, how can they possibly be moved to repentance (Luke 13:3)?

Fifthly, it is enlightening that immediately following His admonition against harsh judging in Matthew 7:1,2, Jesus will warn in Matthew 7:6 – “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you.”  Jesus is not making reference to animals here, but to human beings who are living and reacting like animals.  He is warning His people to be aware that there are those out there in the world who not only do not value the holy but are downright dangerous. 

We are kidding ourselves if we refuse to recognize that there are those in the world who despise our God, His will, and His people.   Bill Maher has repeatedly done what he could to spit on what is holy and rend the people of God.  Macklemore’s anthem to “equality”, “Same Love,” that was rapped during the travesty of a wedding ceremony on the Grammys last Sunday evening, viciously rips at Christianity as bigoted and hateful.  To stick our heads in the sand and think such vitriol should go unresponded to grants permission for destruction.  Neither the apostles nor Stephen minced any words nor gave any ground when confronted by those who were determined to quiet their voices.  Responding to bigotry with bigotry is unchristian, but to respond to bigotry with silence, as long as we are allowed a voice, is suicidal.  

Finally, I must come back to the fact that no one changes their mind unless challenged to do so.  Sin, in all its forms, must be confronted for the soul destroying poison that it is.  Repentance is not going to be generated without confrontation and, at times, denunciation.  Don’t forget that our Lord drove moneychangers from the temple and called the scribes and Pharisees snakes and hypocrites.  Was He being unloving, or was He rather seeking to somehow shatter the barriers of hard-heartedness and pomposity with which they had wrapped their hearts?  Jesus would lament Jerusalem’s (Matthew 23:37,38) refusal to hear Him, but He never stopped stridently and forcefully calling them to repentance.  

May God grant us great wisdom, faith, and courage for the battles that lie ahead.