BLACK & WHITE & oh boy, GRAY
Written by Deborah
2.29.04
In our humanity it is our natural tendency to think in terms of black and white. We are most comfortable with structure, rules, specifics, guidelines and "compartments". God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy provided His Word to provide us with many black and white regulations.
Throughout His Word we can learn about rules that govern life and by obedience to these commandments, we can manifest a more abundant life. Much of life is clearly defined and what we refer to as "cut & dry", like fresh cut and dried agriculture--we find it comfortable.
God has made known to us certain undeniable and non-negotiable conditions for living life in fellowship with Him. There are 10 basic and simple commandments in the Old Testament that are fully summarized by Jesus Christ in the Gospels by the fulfillment of a greater commandment. There is only one way to know the one true God, through Jesus Christ, who is THE way, the truth and the life. There are certain lifestyles, behavior patterns and choices that are diametrically opposed to God's clearly defined will in Romans 1. There are specific courses of action to take when we break our fellowship with God through sin, in order to restore our complete communion with Him. There are many black and white issues of life that are indisputable. And it doesn't matter if we like them or not, if we agree with them or not--these are undeniable and unshakable truths in God's Word, which defines His perfect will.
However, there are also (here's the "oh boy" part), areas of life that are neither black nor white, but rather fall into the color tone of "gray". ("Oh boy, I thought I had this stuff all figured out.") For instance, we read in Romans 14 that one eats herbs and another does not. On man esteems one day above another and yet neither man is to be judged. Then in I Corinthians 7, we read that the Corinthians were becoming divisive about whether to marry or not marry--which was better or more spiritual. We also read about the concerns to circumcise or not to circumcise. In other words, God allows some "wiggle room" regarding how we live our lives.
Bringing this "gray" area into present day circumstances…one believes the best way to educate children is to home school, another equally spiritual Christian disagrees. One believes that being a vegetarian is the correct way to eat and someone else loves his or her steak. One born again one thinks living in the city is best for their lifestyle and another couldn't be "blown off" their land in the country. One thinks that working a daytime job is the only Christian way to live, another enjoys working the night hours under the stars. One believer thinks that a home mortgage is bad management of God's money, another seeks to purchase a condo. One thinks in terms of practical and basic living, another enjoys living extravagantly (whatever that means to that person). One Christ filled one owns pets and tenderly cares for them, allowing them to live inside their home; another Christ filled one owns pets and tenderly cares for them, allowing them to live outside their home; and yet another Christ filled one chooses to never own a pet. In each situation, neither viewpoint is wrong or more right than another is; as long as each man gives God thanks and lives by the specific boundaries God originated. Hence, we all live in areas of "gray" within our lives. (On a personal note--I live in the country and love it, we think home school is the best educational method for our children, we eat about everything placed in front of us, we own pets that live outdoors and we are active every conceivable hour of any day!) As a result of "gray" we have no right to judge one another on these issues. We usually don't like "gray" because we kind of like to pigeonhole people and our thoughts. In other words, we tend to judge others and decide if according to our "standards" they are right or wrong. "Well, I think this way and believe this to be true, so they must be wrong, which makes me right. Therefore I'm more spiritual and better and more mature than them…" However, PRAISE GOD!, for "gray"!
As Christians within our Christian Adoption family, we can lovingly accept one another and support each other in even the "gray" areas of life. We can build upon our diversity of interests, talents and abilities as we accept each other. Never compromising on the fundamental guidelines, commandments and laws of God, but rather loving each other in spite of our differences. Perhaps another CA'er's perspective on "gray" issues is totally different than ours--okay, we have differences, but that doesn't make us better. Maybe I don't "get that perspective" but I can still love my brothers and sisters in Christ with a pure heart.
As Christians in the adoption process, we can lovingly accept our birthparents and support their life altering decisions, even in their "gray" areas of life. We need not pigeonhole them into our way of thinking, but rather love them and pray for them. Perhaps their perspective on "gray" issues is totally different than ours--okay, we have differences, but that doesn't make us better. Maybe I don't "get that perspective" but I can still love those that God has led to me with a pure heart.
As we loosen the bondage of judgement upon one another, we also draw closer to one another. It is another spiritual paradox. By letting go, we become more closely knit.
I hope and pray that our Christian Adoption family continues to grow in depth of character and Christian purity for many years to come.
Exodus 20; Matthew 22:37-40; John 14:6; Romans 1; I John 1; Romans 14; I Corinthians 7
For more information please read Right and Diamonds. We encourage you to prayerfully consider registering with our service, and/or writing to us.
adoption@christianadoption.com
A non-profit Christian and Internet
service ministry. We're helping others in the adoption
process.
1.800.277.7006 620.251.4405
Deborah S. Hill P.O. Box 243 Coffeyville, KS 67337
www.christianadoption.com adoption@christianadoption.com
