Logan Too?
Before I get going I want to lead with a verse for you to mull over regarding the content at hand:
1 Timothy 1:15 – “This is a faithful and trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance and approval, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.”
In order for you to understand anything I’m about to say you need to read what I write in the context of that verse. As you are fully aware by now, everything I say will be entirely counterintuitive to our self-righteous nature. Especially because we have no real logical right to it.
If you’ve been paying attention at all to the current news cycle, then you know that the oppressive underbelly of Hollywood culture is quickly being unveiled. The lid has been blown straight off! New accounts and testimonies of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry are coming out every day. It is an unfortunate trend that has spanned across many decades. For years people have hinted at or speculated on this insidious reality. But not anymore! It is a secret no longer! The darkness has come to light! And, though I’m not going to get into it, there is a subtle culture war going on as to whether or not it’s that big of a deal or not. Any amount of research will reveal this to be true, but I’m gonna leave that there as it’s beside the point.
Among the perpetrators of these wicked acts are some of Hollywood’s most prominent names. People like the renowned producer, Harvey Weinstein, and the extremely talented actor, Kevin Spacey, to name a few. You know their respective crimes against fellow image bearers of God already. And I only mention these individuals because they are the most notable and discussed offenders, there’s no need to drag any more people through their own personally willed mud. I’m not going to use any pictures either because their faces have already been plastered across every major news outlet. I think I can afford to give them a little break.
Another thing you need to understand is that, though I certainly condemn their ungodly, selfish, and evil actions, I extend no personal condemnation toward these men or any of the other culprits involved (whether it’s with this sin or any other for that matter)! It is by no means my place to choose their final verdict of judgment, it is the Lord’s, and if we’re wise, it’s best to leave it that way! I’ve got too many of my own faults to overcome for me to let my addressing of another man’s sin to go beyond gentle correction. I mean, that’s how God even deals with us when He has no reason to in the first place!
“But what does this issue have anything to do with us?!”, you must be asking. Well, I for one, know and am fully ready to admit that it has a whole lot to do with me! And by the time I’m finished I believe you’ll feel the same way about it in regards to yourself. I am just as guilty as the men at hand! And I’m willing to bet that you are too! No, I haven’t committed the very same acts, and it’s likely that you haven’t either. But it very easily could’ve been you or me in their place.
Full disclosure, in my position of marginalization, I’ve been prone to the deadly lie of hopeless loneliness, even as a person of faith. When I have fallen prey to that deception it has been due to a lack of faith in the promises of my Savior. Thankfully, as I have grown in my spiritual life I have gradually conquered this lie through the empowerment of Jesus Christ! So what’s my point? Here’s where I get really transparent.. In my past naive acceptance of this said lie, I have previously found myself entertaining ideas of using the same manipulative, oppressive, shameful techniques as the ones used in the offenses that have recently been revealed, in a desperate attempt to achieve the relational intimacy that I foolishly deemed impossible for me to receive any other way. While it’s true I never acted on these impulses, the thoughts went through my mind just the same! This makes my hands just as dirty as it proves that I possess an identically wicked potential. My circumstances are no excuse either, as I have no shadow of a doubt that without DMD I would still consider those actions! And I’d have all the more ability to follow through with them. On top of that, this doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the evil devices that have crossed the radar of my heart and mind! If you’re honest with yourself, I think you’d agree too.
Except for the grace of God, my role could’ve been reversed with Harvey’s, or my position switched with Kevin’s! This is what it looks like to walk in a 1 Timothy 1:15 mentality. The most minor shift in circumstances could result in us committing what we personally consider unforgivable and irredeemable. It is for this reason I admit that I am the very worst sinner I know. Surely, the worst in existence! I challenge you to humbly view yourself in the same light! We ought to aim for extreme mercy toward others, for the most extreme mercy has been extended to us! He who has been forgiven much will forgive much!
Other scriptures to consider:
Matthew 7:1-5 – “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 18:23-33 – “Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’”
