What does God Require of Us?

So, everyone has been writing about the Ashley Madison leak. You know, it’s a big deal when this kind of stuff happens. And then there is the media, and it seems to make a mockery out of the fall of those who claim to be “Christians.”

And all of this on the heels of the Josh Duggar scandal, and once again, the Duggar family is on the front of magazines. Not in a good way. It’s really awful, and it is heartbreaking.

Why are we so shocked to see it? Why are we so surprised when church leaders, pastors, and our neighbors are on that list?

Who ever said that he is perfect, or that any Christian, is perfect? If anyone said Christians, or anyone for that matter, are perfect, that person is a liar.

Here’s what the Bible says about us.

We are formed with dust, and it was God who breathed life into us. (Genesis 2:7)

God knew us before He formed us. (Psalm 139:13)

He has numbered the hairs on our heads. (Matthew 10:30)

Our bodies will wither and die. (Isaiah 40:7)

There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

We will continue to make mistakes. (Romans 7:15-21)

Even the thief who died on a cross next to Jesus and those who crucified Him were forgiven. (Luke 23: 32-43)

We have a choice. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)

Jesus is the only way to Heaven. (John 14:6)

He will never turn us away. (John 6:37-40)

Jesus died so we can live with him forever. (John 3:16-18)

If we struggle, we should pray and confess our sins to our brothers/sisters. (James 5:13-16)

When I say “us,” I mean all of us.

We are all flawed human beings, and maybe we should look at others with the compassion that Jesus had for them, and really, for all of us. God knew what we would be before the creation of the world, and He still chose to give us breath and life… and a free will to make choices that could ultimately lead us away from Him.

I certainly am not excusing what anyone has done. What I am saying is that we have a responsibility to help restore what the enemy is trying to destroy. When families fall apart, when marriages come unhinged, what are we supposed to do?

This is what Jesus tells us.

Love God. (Luke 10:27)

Love People. (Luke 10:27)

Do justly, love mercy; walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

That’s it.

If our actions do not fall within those categories, we are doing it wrong. And the true thing is that the world is watching us. They are watching to see if we love our brother when he falls, or if we crucify him because “he deserves it.”

Another thing is this – we can’t expect people who don’t know Jesus to act like they do.

I feel sorry for everyone who is involved in this. My heart goes out to the spouses who are heartbroken from the actions of the ones they love. It also goes out the ones who are wrapped up in this web of deceit. Maybe instead of gasps of disbelief or a wagging finger or shaking head, we should come alongside these “sinners” and pray with them, give them resources to heal, and stop judging and leave that to God alone.

My last thought it this: if you are caught in this addiction, or someone you love is, I would highly recommend the resources from Pure Desire Ministries, https://www.puredesire.org.

Love God.

Love People.

That’s our calling, People.