I’ve spoken of grace, and immediately been attacked in strong terms as being soft on sin.  (Anybody remember Jesus and the woman caught in adultery?)

I’ve spoken of loving our neighbors, and immediately been attacked as being a liberal and even against immigration laws.  (No, they didn’t bother to actually ask my position on those issues–or even to read Jesus’ words about love, apparently.)

The U.S. is giving us a practical example now.  Both Republicans and Democrats are threatening a government shutdown on March 6.  The Democrats say they need a two-week extension beyond March 5 to understand our economic mess well enough to propose a new budget.  The Republicans say they’re not agreeing to any more extensions of the current spending.  In everyone’s extremism (and desire to be able to blame the other side for a government shutdown), they’re missing the obvious: Grant a two-week extension with the proviso that everything be cut 10% from current levels during those two weeks.  Every line item, no exceptions, everyone’s pet project hurt equally.  The Democrats get the extra time they want, the Republicans get the cut they want, and the American people see leaders that are more interested in finding solutions than posturing.

Once we get past our own attitudes of extremism, other possibilities emerge.  Once we start loving people the way Jesus commanded his followers to love, we’re less likely to label and pigeonhole them based on their behavior and more likely to want to minister compassionately to their souls.  Once we come to grips with the reality of our own sins and the incredible amount of love and grace from God that has prevented him from treating us as we deserve, we’re less likely to be so judgmental of the actions of others with whom we disagree.  How easily we ignore the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:21-35, and his warning that God will treat us in the same way.

The uncomfortable truth is that God chose to leave his Word nuanced in many areas, rather than black and white.  Is sin bad?  Yes.  Did Jesus stop the people who were attacking the woman, tell her he didn’t condemn her, and let her go without punishment?  Yes.

It’s so easy to see the world through “absolute” eyes.  Unfortunately, that usually does nothing to bring real improvement.

Dogs are happy to see you. They greet you warmly and enthusiastically. They cover you with kisses. They love to play with you, but they’re content just to be near you.

Cats want you to feed them, and then leave them alone.

Lock a dog and a cat in the trunk of your car for an hour. When you open the trunk, which is happy to see you?

My question is, would God see you as his dog or as his cat?