Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross Join the conversation! The New Testament Christian group explores what it means to be Christians only. Sign up now! ntchristian-subscribe@... COLUMN: HANDS-ON FAITH Free From Accusation -- A Parable for Our Time by Barry Newton A father had two sons, both of whom had brought disgrace upon the family. Tension plagued their familial relationship. One day the father privately called each son to join him at the kitchen table because he wanted to share with them a wonderful gift. When each son arrived, the father began by recounting how that son's choices had frayed their relationship. Then, just as his son's eyes would begin to roll with "I've heard this all before," the father said, "I am freeing you from accusation. No longer will I hold something against you. I love you and I want our relationship to be restored." Upon hearing this, the first son smiled slightly as he felt a tremendous burden lifted. He had been set free. No longer would he be viewed as a disappointing son. In view of this precious gift he had received, he resolved to honor his father by conforming to those attitudes and activities that would please his father. When the second son received the father's gift, he too smiled and felt the same tremendous burden being sloughed off. With a renewed sense of freedom, he proclaimed how much he loved his father for this undeserved gift. Unlike his brother, however, he focused on doing whatever pleased himself. Even regarding areas where his father's wishes were known, he would pursue what seemed best in his own thinking. His standard response to all queries was, "this does not matter; grace covers it." Which son understood grace? Does grace transform what was previously unacceptable to God into suddenly becoming divinely approved? Does grace cause us to conform to an acceptable standard? How will a person or a congregation of people, who have not first picked up their crosses in order to serve God's will, use a concept like "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus?" "For the grace of God which brings salvation … teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and world passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." Titus 2:11,12 -- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/b4yfns COLUMN: REALITY CHECK Being Both Righteous and Kind by Stan Mitchell "And her husband Joseph,being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly" (Matthew 1:19, ESV). Now you've got to see the story from Joseph's perspective. There his fiancée Mary was, great with child, and Joseph knew that his relations with her had been absolutely correct. So what had happened? The answer was obvious, though a little startling for he must surely have had a good idea of her character. She had been unfaithful to him, enjoying sexual relations with another man! We forget this, you see, because we remember those Christmas tales with the bit about being "with child by the Holy Spirit." We know that, but Joseph didn't! Then we learn that Joseph was "a righteous man." Today we usually hear another word attached to the word "righteous" - "self righteous." And we fear for Mary. Will there be a scene? Will he self righteously shame her for her loose morals? Will he in his perfectly understandable hurt and humiliation lash out? Joseph is the unsung hero of this old, old story. His righteousness leads him not to angry judgment of Mary but to loving consideration for her feelings. Clearly he can no longer marry her, he thinks, but he can "put her away quietly." Her feelings and reputation will be spared, because a righteous man need not be a ruthless man. ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/akboc5 You can help get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.html