So sad

This blog is inspired by all the newborn and not yet born babies that have come across my path. It breaks my heart to see that this society has little to no sense of restraint or self-control. Isn't it ironic that we promote sex in pretty much every aspect of this culture and yet we are surprised and devastated by its negative effects? What do we think is going to happen when we engage in "safe" and unsafe sexual activity? Why do we think that we are exempt or special or an exception to the rule? Too many times we think that when we play with fire we will not get burned. The Bible says "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Gal 6:7) My version of that verse is, "Don't get it twisted and don't abuse His grace. God will not break the rules for you." The saddest part of this is that people interpret this Scripture to mean that God is punishing or attacking them for not following His standards when that is not the case at all. God is a God of His Word. When we engage in behavior that may have life long consequences, we extend an invitation to let bad things come into our lives. Just because there is not an immediate response doesn't mean that one is not coming. Every time we send out that invitation, we await an RSVP. Often times we get fooled into thinking that when nothing happens to us the first few times, it will not ever happen. We forget that the longer we continue to engage in that behavior, the wider we open the door of bad things into our lives.
I think of the story of the persistent widow in Luke 18. Normally this story is referenced to show what we should do when we want to ask something of the Father; but I think this can be applied to the negative as well. When we consistently allow ourselves to be worn down by the standards of this world, we eventually give in even if we don't want to just so we can be left alone. ( BTW- The state of wanting to be left alone is so dangerous because we will do anything to achieve that goal. Things we wouldn't normally do, we at least consider just to be left alone. We need to be mindful of this state when we feel it coming upon us and do our best to not give in.)
I also have an issue with how we treat the information when we are made aware of it. We must understand that in the instance of a child on the way, we celebrate the life but we do not celebrate the behavior. We do not condone the action but we also do not dwell on it. We address it and move on. The best example of this is Jesus in John 8 concerning the woman caught in adultery. He dealt with the judgmental Pharisees by showing them the sin in their own lives. And when they left He dealt with the woman in love saying that He doesn't judge her but she should not continue to live a life of sin. We need to model this. Jesus spoke the truth in love as we are called to do in Eph 4:15. It's difficult but it's not impossible "for nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37).
As we face these issues let us remember to use Christ as the example of accountability and love. It's big shoes to fill but He will help us to fill them.