Sins of the church family

It's been 35-40 years since these events happened, and you'd think we would learn they happen, even with people in the church.  I'm talking about murder.  The thing that made this so difficult for a small group of people from the church, was both the murder victim and the murderer were from the same church.  Surviving relatives and friends of both were members of that church. 

It didn't take long for mixed personal feelings to be expressed, leading to some clashes between folks who had worn the name of Jesus for years.  They had worshiped together, prayed together, smiled and laughed together, and even cried together.  Now, the mixed opinions of the situation within the small church had people literally taking sides.  

A man had killed his estranged wife, and was ultimately convicted and given a lengthy prison sentence.  The man and his wife had problems staying together, and had divorced.  There were people in that church siding with the man's side of the story, and others were taking the side of the wife.  After it happened, the short, center aisle of that church building was a dividing line. 

Some looked at the facts of the case and determined in their hearts this man had committed such a heinous crime, he could never be forgiven.   They even expressed disappointment that their criminal brother in Christ, was not executed. 

Of course there were the others that recognized the terrible sin which had been committed, but went on to say, "this man can be forgiven."  After all, if Jesus can extend his love and forgiveness to the vilest of sinners, as we have taught and believed, could not the blood of Christ, shed on the cross, be the only cleansing to wash the sin from this man?

This weekend, while scanning through social media, I noticed the posting of a devotional poster that brought back the memory of the murder.  I am sorry the lady died under such circumstances.  I am also sorry the man faced incarceration for all those years. 

I'm just wondering if we comfortably commit our little sins, knowing God will forgive us and his grace will keep us in his family?  When those big sins come along, especially in the lives of others, are we going to be the one which declares, "He should never be forgiven?"

Here is the poster from social media.  I encourage you to read it again and again.  Praise God, HE is our God of love, forgiveness, mercy and grace.

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