This picture has gotten over 43, 000 “Likes” and over 2,200 “Comments” on Facebook. I would say this is a trigger issue for a lot of people. It seems there are many thousands of opinions. But opinions are just that: Opinions.
However, the truth DOES matter. And this Father is correct. At least in part. He can’t “fix” his son. It isn’t because he isn’t broken. He is. We all are.
And just like a machine cannot fix itself, we humans cannot fix ourselves.
Now for the truth: Only Jesus can lift us from this life of depravity. As I read some of the 2K + comments, I was saddened by the depravity of the mindset of some posters.
They seemed to come from all walks of life: Some agreed, some liked, some disliked, some gay, some Christians, but many vile, hateful comments. The only thing I didn’t see (I didn’t read them all) is we are all without hope: Without Jesus.
I wondered why we can’t just accept people where they are, wherever that may be, instead of categorizing the sinful nature of the person. A person created in the image of Almighty God!
However: Sin is NOT behaviors. Behaviors are the result of Sin. We don’t lie because we are liars, we are liars – therefore we lie. We are born liars. We are born thieves. We are born in sin, and we will die in sin.
Jesus came to be a sacrifice and pay for the Sin (not sins) of mankind. That sin is the fact that we do NOT trust our lives and eternity to Jesus the Christ. That forgiveness covers ALL the other behaviors (read sins) we commit daily.
The only choice we have – is where we will spend eternity. And WE can’t fix that.
This Father has a better concept of life than many of us.
It isn’t about right or wrong.
It is about Life or Death.
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;(read behaviors) what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.” Galatians, chapter 6, verses 15 and 16. From the New International Version of the Holy Bible. (bold by me)
We can concoct all kinds of doctrines and motivations for righteous living, but the only thing that matters is the New Creation.
Those whose life is in Jesus are not exempt from committing sins, even vile sins. But according to Romans, chapter 8, verses 1-3, from the New International Version of the Holy Bible: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.“ (bold by me)
That’s it.
We are NOT sinless, we are sin Exempt. Spiritually only. If we do stupid behaviors, we still get sick or hurt.
No, this Father cannot fix his son. Not because he is not broken, but because a broken person cannot fix or condemn another broken person.
And we are all broken – Without Jesus the Christ.
It isn’t my job as a Christian to “fix” anyone. It’s my job to introduce people to Jesus the Christ. Then love them – unconditionally.
The David Guinn 