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to be judged a sinner
While I was suffering for years from a strange and puzzling illness, a beloved family member wrote several letters telling me that I could get well if I would "quit my sinning." My sins were sins of dress and hair style. I knew then (and still know) that I am accepted and loved by God, for God's own Spirit affirms that truth to me. But I know how frustrating it is to be told, "God cannot accept you because you do not live the way I interpret the Bible."
I am sure I have done my share of making people feel rejected by God with my own narrow interpretations and, for that, I am truly sorry. If I would have followed Jesus' new commandment to love others just as Jesus loves me (John13:34) and, if my church could have trusted God to do the judging, I believe my brother might be alive today.
After an
intense day of debating this issue in our conference (April 1995) that
ended with a majority vote to make the Germantown Congregation a "second
class" congregation, we ate dinner at a local restaurant with one
of our friends. As we shared feelings and experiences together, he said,
"I always enjoy the peace of the 'back roads' of the countryside,
but today I will be glad to get back to Philadelphia where I can feel
safe again." Quite an indictment on a church meeting where we were
urged to "hate the sin, but love the sinner"!
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