I have recently found out some friends of my early adult years got divorced because one of them had an affair. Both of them still go to church. Both of them are still welcomed into fellowship of the wards where they live.
One paradigm - the one of justice - says the offending person should suffer unpleasant consequences because of the devistating effects of the inappropriate actions. It has hurt not just the spouse, but the children.
Yet by superficial appearances, neither person is being ostracized by their friends. That seems OK for the ex-spouse who was the victom. But is it OK for the ex-spouse who was the offender?
Yes. Resoundingly yes.
From our Father in Heaven's viewpoint, he sees we all go through ups and downs of life, of obedience, of doing good and of causing havoc. His long-term preference is to keep us close to him so he can help us through this learning process. He can best help us remember to reach out to him if we are in closer proximity to places and people who carry his Spirit and influence. If we are cast out, the loss of proximity makes it harder for us to feel the tender voice of his Spirit whisper how to come home and how to correct our errors.
I think this is embodied in the old phrase, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." I've never understood it so well before. Because I feel greater love and affinity to my friends than to someone I don't know (or don't like), it is easier to understand how to love them in spite of mistakes. It is much easier to understand why they should be loved and kept in the place with the Saints through the trials of mistakes.
They don't need to be ostracized until they are sufficently punished for their mistakes or until they feel the consequences of their sins.
They need to be kept close.
No comments:
Post a Comment
You are welcome to comment. Please identify yourself and note that currently anyone can comment and the comments are moderated. Comments may or may not be responded to.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.