As the list of cheaters hits the web, don’t celebrate too quickly church. Be careful not to pile on. Let us not rejoice over sin being exposed. Mourn it and lament for great pain is coming to wives and husbands and children. Moreover, be relieved that it is not your internet browser that the world is looking at.
Certainly it is good for sin to be exposed. The words herein don’t call that into question. In fact, followers of Christ are to expose the works of darkness (Eph. 5:11-14). But we expose dark works so that the light of Christ may shine on those who practice them, not that we can revel in the calamity of others.
It is good for sin to be exposed because when the guilt and the shame of an action is felt, the Gospel is enticing. When sin moves from the abstract to the concrete, the love of God is felt ever so much more. And as millions are feeling the real pain from their transgression, let us be quick to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to them rather than our condemnation. The liberating power of forgiveness will feel warm and comforting to those steeped in darkness. It will be alluring if we can get out of our own self-righouess way.
We forget that “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” We forget that it was by grace that we have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5). We forget how good God’s grace looks when we realize our fallenness. We forget that His grace in kindness towards us leads people to repentance (Rom 2:4). And this is shameful on our part. Rather than lead those in bondage to freedom, we are content to mock their stupidity.
During this time as many in our nation are suffering that which flows from a darkened and futile mind, let us talk about the immeasurable riches of God’s grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:3-7). Let us humbly tell our redemptive stories and speak about experiencing the difference between bondage and freedom.
The hearts of many are longing for deliverance from the guilt that is weighing so heavily. And they will seek freedom in futile ways. They will blame, deny, and seek to justify their actions. And they might be able to suppress the truth of their right convictions, but in so doing, their hearts will become even more callused. Let that not be so. Church, let us make the most of every opportunity understanding the will of the Lord. Let us pray that those that are about to experience pain and humiliation will experience the grace of God. Let us act and share this alluring gospel of mercy and kindness and forgiveness. And then, let us rejoice not over sin but in sinners being reconciled to a gracious Savior.