It makes me shiver when I hear of a church leader choosing to leave family, church and ministry in one fell swoop. Sin is such an indiscriminate destroyer; and I have no slinging stones in-hand because there isn’t a sin, big or bad enough—murder, lying, adultery, pride (for a more comprehensive listing, please see the Bible) that exempts any of us from the truth that, “there, but for the grace of God, go I…”

 

 

For everyone has sinned;

 

we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

 

Romans 3:23

 

 

Sometimes we speculate and wonder what outcomes and consequences might follow a particular choice—but other times, there’s no need to guess; because it’s spelled out in plain old English.

 

 

Dear brothers and sisters,

 

not many of you should become teachers in the church,

 

for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

 

James 3:1

 

 

“Judged more strictly”. Succinct. Non-ambiguous words. James didn’t even wrap them up in a parable that could be interpreted on various levels. He just laid them out there stark naked-like: “judged more strictly”.

 

Makes me shiver.

 

(Hubble telescope picture)