It is dangerous to interpret the Scriptures based on what we feel is fair or right. God is both Loving and Holy; He reaches and accepts, yet hates and rejects (sin and those married to it). There are many things in the Bible that make me uncomfortable - perhaps the most poignant and disturbing is John 14:6 - the most pointed exclusive statement that anyone can make. ("I am the Way, the Truth and the Life - no one comes to the Father except by Me").

All other arguments about sin and exclusivity have to be dealt with in the light of this champ. Does He mean what He says? Interpret the statement any other way than the simple decision that it illustrates, and you fall into sophistry of the worst kind.

I am uncomfortable with the statement, but my loyalty to my Lord demands that I stand by it, and its implications. Yet I know that He is merciful, and often to those who seem to have offended His holiness the worst. To those that thought they had it together enough to condemn the worst, He said,

"Go away until you learn what this means -

'I desire mercy rather than sacrifice'" - Matthew 9:13

So we are left with one of Scriptures paradoxes - two truths, both solidly based, that seem to contradict in practice (His mercy and exclusivity). Reject either one, and we fall into error, and lose our hold on the foundation. Lose that hold, and we are no longer who we are (assimilation into the world is what faces anyone who loses the distinctiveness of the obedience of faith).

So I plead with those who are rejecting part of the Word - please be careful, that out of earthly sentimentality, we do not lose hold of heavenly identity.