That Does Not Concern Me

 The story is hard to believe. A seasoned saint is drifting down a road of compromise. She is the matriarch of her church. Dearly loved. An once stalwart of the faith. She has been a widow for 15 years and recently got involved with another man and is considering marrying him. He is putting on the pressure. He appears to be successful. 

The problem is that everyone has counseled her not to do it. Her children. Her church family. Friends. I have never met this lady but am familiar with the situation because of a mutual friend who is a member of the same house of worship she is. She recently came to my friend's house to plead her case for support in continuing down this same road toward marrying this individual. 

What is the problem. Most everyone doubts this guy's salvation. A believer is never supposed to marry an unbeliever. There are other issues. His reputation is not one of integrity in the community by some where he resides. My friends shared some scripture with this woman. Her reply to them was, "That does not concern me."

Hold your horses. Followers of Jesus are supposed to hold their view of the scriptures as sacred. As having authority to guide and direct our way of living. This woman dismissed those scriptures as if they were nothing more than a story from the morning newspaper. She is headed for a trainwreck of massive proportions because she refuses to listen to counsel or the word of God. 

Do not be too quick to judge, the logs in our eyes may prevent us from seeing the splinter in her eyes. We most likely have areas where we are not concerned what the scriptures command us to do or not to do. I could make a long list like just this one. Avoid every appearance of evil in I Thessalonians. That would certainly curtail our movie and television watching if we took that seriously. 

How easily we can be deceived. Walking the straight and narrow at one point and compromising our convictions the next. Sometimes we even try to justify our wayward behavior and attitude. How easily we are dismissive of Bible instructions. We like to paint the lines grey instead of black and white or right or wrong. We don't mind fudging if it's something we really want to do. 

This lady will not be persuaded she is heading for a trainwreck. She drank the coolade and is convinced this guy will change. She even admits that he might not be a believer but then quickly says he will get there. When we dismiss the Bible, we are headed for heartache and misery. 

What the Bible instructs should concern every follower of Jesus even if it is countercultural. Obeying and pleasing God should be of highest priority. May God open our eyes so that His word is one of our highest concerns.