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Dave Hamm
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Who will be the first to stone me?
12 stars|2 comments|June 14, 2007|736 reads
 
I want to quote my own words from Anthony's blog about an E-mail he received. My spirit is grieved just to hear that one of our members might leave this community for the wrong reason. Remember, before you cast stones, think about what Jesus might publicly write about you...

I am posting this as my own blog for the visibility that I know it will receive...


Anthony,

Good morning to you, sir. I do hope that you will not leave MyChurch.org because of anyone here. Don't let your emotions cause you to make any hasty decisions. You are 100% correct in that blogs are places you can be transparent and tell us like it is. I try to do that about myself every time I start a blog.

And you are also 100% correct that there are a lot of hypocrites within the body of Christ. Since there are no "grey areas" with God, I'll be the first to raise my hand and admit I'm one of them. I can go around quoting all the scriptures I want, help all of the people I can and that will not change the fact that I am still a sinner. That is why Jesus said:

8:3 Now the scribes and Pharisees came, with a woman who had been taken in the act of sinning against the married relation; 8:4 And putting her forward, they said to him, Master, this woman has been taken in the very act of sinning against the married relation. 8:5 Now in the law Moses gave directions that such women were to be stoned; what do you say about it? 8:6 They said this, testing him, so that they might have something against him. But Jesus, with his head bent down, made letters on the floor with his finger. 8:7 But when they went on with their questions, he got up and said to them, Let him among you who is without sin be the first to send a stone at her. 8:8 And again, with bent head, he made letters on the floor. 8:9 And when his words came to their ears, they went out one by one, starting with the oldest even to the last, because they were conscious of what was in their hearts: and Jesus was there by himself with the woman before him. 8:10 Then Jesus got up, and seeing nobody but the woman, he said to her, Where are the men who said things against you? did no one give a decision against you? 8:11 And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, And I do not give a decision against you: go, and never do wrong again.]

I have always believed that those "letters on the floor" that Jesus was making were the sins of those accusing the woman.

I for one, whenever I see or read about somebody doing something "wrong" always put myself in front of Jesus and wonder what He would write on the floor about me. I fully understand why I am not the one to judge another person.

Anthony, I do hope you will continue to blog. Everything that you hear, test it against the complete Word of God. Yes, we can all do better. That is what growing in Christ is all about. please don't leave. I want to see your life and I want you to see my life. Peace.

Your friend, Dave.


Please join me in praying for me, Anthony and every other person here at MyChurch.org. I am positive that we all need Christ's grace and have room to grow in Him.

Dave

 
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Kathy
Kathy
June 15, 2007
Looks like Anthony deleted his profile.  I wonder if there's something we should be learning.  I pray he encounters a loving Christian friend who will walk beside him.  Why would he have come here except seeking his way back to God?

Anthony, if you're still reading this blog, we are imperfect, but God loves you and desires to put the broken pieces back together for you.  Should you want to return to MyChruch, you have friends here waiting for you!
Jay Price
 Jay Price
June 21, 2007

I didn't see the blog or comment but I do know that people can be cruel at worst, thoughtless at best. The book of James tells us that we all hurt others with our words. Knowing that doesn't stop the pain, though, when it happens. I pray for Anthony's recovery from the wounds inflicted and for mercy, reprentance and restoration for the transgressor. 

Being transparent is a risky business, even among brethren. Maybe it's even worse among believers because many church people are zealous about the "right" thing more than the merciful thing.

Deep down I know that if I don't write out of who I am, then nothing I say is relevant, so I push myself to be transparent, yet I do it knowing there may be painful consequences. Listening to or reading what others reveal out of my comfort zone is also a challenge. I pray not to react but to respond in love, but sometimes I just plain mess up.

Yes, Dave, I agree with you that Jesus was writing the sins of the accusers with his finger. And I know sometimes I have been in that crowd, although, hopefully less and less.

May God have mercy on us all.