God supports people in our troubled world.

You don’t want me to list our problems and I don’t want to do it. In fact, for many, it would be counterproductive. I think God knows that sin lists can be more hurtful than helpful except to wake somebody up. But not everybody needs an abrupt awakening. Many welcome some kind, respectful help, now.

Let’s say I am writing to someone willing to accept their share of the blame for not hitting God’s bullseye. Know that the most frequently used words in the Bible for sin do not blame. The words are khata in Hebrew and hamartia in New Testament Greek. Both refer to missing the mark as in archery. They carry no essential condemnation; just a simple statement of error. The fact that the New Testament continues the same analogy to archery as does the earlier Old Testament means that the same non-blaming attitude comes forward in time.

The why is because God loves people as a group and as individuals. Consequently, God is considerate of us. Our make-up is known by our maker. “He (ESV) knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14) We succumb to fear and self-loathing when shamed. God wants us to think straight without our minds being clogged by heavenly guilting. The Hebrew people were mistreating the vulnerable badly when God provoked Isaiah to write “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (1:18) When social behavior goes bad, God redirects us by reasoning with us about his way that cleanses from inner pain and outer error.

Over time I hope to write more about God’s good and pleasing ways. For now, know that one voice believes God’s way is not full of blame and condemnation.