The question of whether divorce a sin or not is asked often in Christian circles. Most of the time, people are looking for a simple yes or no answer. We want categories. We want labels. We want a clear line between what is righteous and what is sinful. But many times, we focus so much on labeling actions that we completely ignore the condition of the heart behind them. Let’s just make one thing clear: actions aren’t the sin. It’s the condition of the heart that is the sin. Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to label things as a sin, that is the sin. We become so focused on appearing righteous, condemning others, and sorting people into categories that we forget the deeper issues Scripture continually points to—pride, hardness of heart, selfishness, cruelty, bitterness, abuse, betrayal, unforgiveness, lack of mercy, and lack of love. We have to ask ourselves: Does it edify and lift up the person? Does it edify and lift up the Lord? When the Pharisees asked Jesus about ...
In March, executive orders from governors across the country forced us to stay home, to close schools and churches and to shut down private businesses. Businesses were classified as either "essential" or "non-essential." All businesses deemed "non-essential" were forced to close. This included markets, clothing stores, boutiques, dine-in restaurants, and beauty salons. State parks, city parks, beaches, walking trails, lakes, and other wide open spaces were closed as well. Many people feel that the "social distancing," as it has come to be known, and stay at home executive orders violate their constitutional rights, such as our First Amendment right to freely exercise our religion, our right to peaceably assemble, and that we shall not be deprived of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Some of the people who feel their rights have been violated have decided to exercise their First Amendment right to protest. Some have even chosen...