Clay, in regard to your comments I agree in some sense and as I stated in the 3rd paragraph I do not believe that we should compromise what is acceptable or right in an effort to make Christianity more appealing or ‘open’, or for any reason.
And I think we need to make clear to others our own beliefs and values, but when someone is facing the fallout from a mistake or indiscretion, I believe we need to be there to pick them back up, dust them off, and help them start again.

But as you alluded to, I certainly don’t believe we should ever stray away from preaching the straight-up gospel, and taking a stand against what we believe to be wrong. But forgiveness and grace should always be openly available from all of us to those who seek it, because it is certainly available from God.

In regard to Jamie’s comments, it is an unfortunate but true reality that Christians can sometimes face judgment and scrutiny, and we should certainly be aware of that and as a result guard our actions and statements so as not to cause someone else to stumble, but I think it is up to us to remind those around us that we are in no way, shape, or form perfect, and to point them to the one true perfect example of how to live a life, and that’s Jesus.

John the Baptist preached bold and hard and the people repented. Maybe we’re being too “soft” on sin today.

I challenge you to read “The Intolerant Christ” for a little more on this…

C. D.