by Bill Nugent
Article #53
The people glanced at their watches as the balding, somewhat portly minister was finishing another of his bland sermons. It was rather hot and stuffy in the old church in this upscale community in upstate New York.
Reverend Bob — that’s what his people called him — was an affable and likable man. His sermons offended no one and he never mentioned negative things like sin. Rev. Bob confined himself to broad windy platitudes rather than any incisive “dogmatic” principles.
Rev. Bob did not submit himself to the Bible. He was guided by his own opinions and the writings of liberal theologians. In his sermons he only quoted the Bible at those few points where the Bible and his liberal Protestantism agreed. The congregation, many of whom lived lives of public scandal, loved it this way.
Today, however, Rev. Bob was upset. He was concerned about a counseling case that was unmercifully thrust upon him a few weeks prior. It was a couple in his congregation who were going through a divorce. The man, named Harry, was involved in an affair with a much younger married woman in a nearby town.
Rev. Bob counseled Harry in his usual tepid way. “Now Harry” Rev. Bob said “you really shouldn’t do that……but then again I understand how these things can happen…….you were caught off guard…….you fell in love with someone else’s wife.” Rev. Bob never confronted Harry with the 7th commandment “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
Rev. Bob and Harry continued their series of empty, meandering, vacuous counseling sessions. Details of the affair were discussed in the sessions. The young woman’s husband found out about the affair and is taking it very hard. The husband is furious yet wants to preserve the marriage. They have two primary school age daughters. Harry’s wife also knows about the affair and is devastated. The kids in both families are so alienated that even their school grades are suffering.
Finally something dawns on Rev. Bob and he asks Harry “Is the woman you’re involved with named Mary?” Harry sputters and says “I didn’t mention her name but…..yes it’s Mary.” Rev. Bob continues “and is her husband’s name Doug?” Harry asks quizzically “Yeah, how did you know that?” The fluster of rage came over Rev. Bob’s face as he stammers “Doug is my son!!! You home wrecker! You cad! Get out of my office and never touch my daughter-in-law again!!!”
Rev. Bob learned the hard way that God’s laws do make sense. Adultery is sin. Rev. Bob didn’t feel the pain of that sin until he found out that the adultery was committed against one of his own children. Rev. Bob couldn’t care less when he thought the adultery was against someone else’s children but now he is infuriated!
Rev. Bob was blinded and compromised by a liberal theology that rejects the authority of the Bible. He needs to repent and get right with God.
God is enraged at the sins of mankind because every sin against anyone’s children is a sin against God. Each one of us will stand before God in the afterlife and give an account of our lives. Will you stand or will you fall?
Jesus, the promised Messiah of Israel, who’s life was foretold by the prophets, came and died for our sins. God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus who willingly suffered and died in our place. If you repent and ask God to forgive you of your sins on the basis of Jesus’ death and resurrection you will receive God’s forgiveness and will enter into heaven in the afterlife. God’s love and mercy is great! Receive Jesus into your heart today!
Jesus said “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him….”(Revelation 3:20 NAS).
Just pray this prayer “Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for sending Jesus, the promised Messiah, to die for my sins. I admit that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness on the basis of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit to empower me to serve you under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, Amen.”