Love Wins

Confession:  I’m not good at “gray”. 

I’ve gotten better, but I really like things to be black or white. 

Something is right or it’s wrong. 

There’s a clear answer.  A correct interpretation. 

And also, I don’t like to be wrong. I know that’s a shock, but more about that in another post.

This would be great if everything in life was black or white and I was always right.

Unfortunately it's not and I'm not.

While I love it that there ARE clear rights and wrongs, I have to admit that there are “disputable matters” (Romans 14:1) in the Bible and that makes me uncomfortable. 

Like a kid hopping from boulder to boulder in a stream I like to stick to places where there’s sure footing.

Around the boulders of certainty lately there’s been a swirling eddy of fear, criticism, and accusation regarding Rob Bell’s book, Love Wins.

I’ve read Love Wins and agree with a lot of it, question some of it, and feel some of it is overstated or incomplete. 

My favorite prof at seminary said “The Bible is inspired.  My interpretation of it is not.”

What is the nature of heaven?  What is hell like?  How does God judge babies that die?  Can there be love without justice?  

There are some gray places that make me uncomfortable.

In these gray places I believe we all need to have the humility to say “God’s Word is inspired.  My interpretation is not.  Let’s keep seeking truth together and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us in love.”

But today, this Good Friday, I’m focusing on the boulders that I believe are the firm foundations for my faith…the ones that are black and white.

God loves us no matter what.

We’ve ALL messed up and are separated from Him through our sin. 

That separation is death.

He’s overcome death and made a way back through Jesus.

We have a choice as to whether we’ll accept that way back and enjoy eternity with Him. 

Starting now.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

For me this much is clear.  This is black and white.

Love wins.