Nougat 20

It’s been argued that Christianity is the only religion that destroys its wounded instead of helping. If that’s at all true, then we need to revisit today’s Holy Nougat

“But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Unfortunately, this sounds like it could be about many of us believers these days. For we tend towards destroying each other rather than offer support. Just think about the disciplinary processes most churches enforce and it is quite evident that we wound long before we heal.

Let us use one example.

A pregnant and unmarried woman is strongly encouraged to quickly (and quietly) marry the child’s father (?) so the child is born ‘legitimately’. If not done, the mother AND her child are obliged to live with the stigma of illegitimacy. And prior to that, the mother often faces strong discipline from the church. Ironically, not many churches seek to discipline the men, especially if they are considered persons of influence.

In some instances (and unfortunately I can recall a few), whether the pregnant woman repents or not, the discipline remains in place until AFTER the baby is born; as the unmarried mother is seen as a reproach upon the church. It is also possible that no pastoral care or any kind of material support is offered to the offending woman.

At this point, you may be wondering about my ‘defense’ or support of unwed mothers.

Yet,

before we agree that all this is biblical and just, I take us back to the original Christmas.

For Mary was ENGAGED, not married, to Joseph – and Jesus was NOT his child! The scandal! What salacious gossip this would generate today! Who would have believed Mary and spoken up for her? Would Mary be invited to join the ‘Repentance Bench’ until she saw the error of her sin and confessed her wrongdoing? And while we recognize that this only happened once – Jesus’ divine conception and birth – and will NEVER be repeated; two critical questions remain

A. What lessons are we taking from the original Christmas message, as God’s elect and chosen people?

B. Would we be guilty of casting Mary, Joseph, and eventually Jesus aside on the grounds of discipline?

This is but one example, we each have to take stock and discern what we need to do.

Watch out, says the Word of the Lord to us, lest we devour each other.

—

May all we seek be found in Christ