. . . do not sin." (Ephesians 4:26 in reference to Psalm 4:4 NIV)
Many of you may recall the book about Keith Green titled No Compromise. Keith Green died young in a plane crash, a sold-out Christian man who came out of the world and started Last Days Ministries with his wife and several others. Having experienced most of what the world had to offer, he realized when he met Jesus Christ, nothing compared.
I know that feeling. Reluctantly but nevertheless willingly I left what I thought was "right" and slow-danced into the wordly ways of the late 60s and early 70s. When the emptiness of rebellion settled into my soul, Jesus came. The passion I'd invested in being "bad" turned to following Him, the lover of my soul.
As you can imagine, within the ten year timeframe I devoted to my worldly ways I compiled a boatload of regret.
But here's the thing. As regretful as I truly am, I can say the lessons I learned from the world have proved invaluable in seeing Christianity as it really is. The redemption factor is out of this world. The grace factor is limitless but not an enabler for further sin. The humility factor of being rescued from filth is ever present. And the passion used to pursue Jesus is unquenchable though it can be interrupted and assaulted.
As you know, there's been a firestorm created by reactions to Becky Wade's novel My Stubborn Heart reviewed on this blog, on Amazon.com, and on other blogs. Due to the use of four particular words mentioned in my review and a few specific references mentioned in my follow-up posts, Christians have drawn battle lines with their opinions. And not with the world but with each other. I'll be the first to admit I'm leading the charge in this battle because I'm passionate about the war being waged on Christian authors who dare to write occasional words within stories, within real context to those stories, taking extensive heat for choosing them. And, yes, I'm angry. Mad even.
I'm not mad that some readers don't like to read these particular words in their stories. I'm not angry that some readers find them uncomfortable. I'm mad because if the words are read in true context to the characters in the story, the "offenses" seem exaggerated in many cases. I'm not suggesting those offended readers can't tell others of their problem with word choices or subject matter or anything else. However, I am stating they are not the judges and juries of how this good story should be told. And if they choose to never again invest in a Becky Wade novel - or if they boycott Bethany House because of this one book - that's their choice. But who would've thought this little romance would graduate into such a huge debate? And who could've possibly predicted four little words, a poker game with a $5 dollar limit among longtime 70 yr. old friends, a brief scene with Halloween, Yoga classes, and older women recognizing the attractiveness of a hunky younger man would cause such an uproar? Certainly not me. I'm flabbergasted. And angry.
I know there's been an abundance of discussion generated by this little romance novel. I feel for Becky as she's taken some direct hits by her Christian brothers and sisters. Unnecessarily. Each one of us must walk our walk and talk. We don't walk it for others. We don't determine the paths set before other Christians. We walk the one set before us. We discern, we pray, we set forth. I know this is how Becky conducts her life. This is her book, her path. It's a novel, not a "Christian-living" manual.
The just Judge loves, watches, corrects. His is the only judgment that matters or counts.
Father, forgive us for our sins. We're truly desperate for you. Help us to gain more of you, less of us. We're so fallible. You are not. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.