Where to look, what do you see
I was approached today from a fellow co-worker. She explained that a young lady had come to her with great concern. She was pregnant, single, her parents were going through a divorce, and she has some medical conditions that prohibit her from working. She was concerned about the baby. My friend asked if I might know where she could go?
I inquired about whether she was looking at keeping the baby or give the child up for adoption. She was not sure. I told her that I would send her to LDS Family Services, however, they would probably recommend and encourage adoption. My friend was concerned because this young lady had already tried to go through local leaders. Not one of them made this recommendation. She felt they were more concerned about the sin.
I have heard a great deal about this same idea over the past few weeks. When we are living in the world, but not of the world, it is important for us to separate the sin and the sinner. We don't have to accept the sin to accept and help the sinner. Remember that we are all children of our Heavenly Father. Even more than that, we all have sin. We can have compassion, love, and concern for the sinner. We can do all in out power to help the sinner remove themselves from the sin and begin the process of change or repentance. Before this can happen, the sinner, must know and feel that we accept and care for them. If that feeling is not there, then they will feel that we are only focused on the sin.
Sometimes, the sinner may not want to abandon the sin. That does not mean that we should abandon them. Don't forget where to look and what you are seeing. Emulate Christ in your love and service of all mankind, not just a select few.
I inquired about whether she was looking at keeping the baby or give the child up for adoption. She was not sure. I told her that I would send her to LDS Family Services, however, they would probably recommend and encourage adoption. My friend was concerned because this young lady had already tried to go through local leaders. Not one of them made this recommendation. She felt they were more concerned about the sin.
I have heard a great deal about this same idea over the past few weeks. When we are living in the world, but not of the world, it is important for us to separate the sin and the sinner. We don't have to accept the sin to accept and help the sinner. Remember that we are all children of our Heavenly Father. Even more than that, we all have sin. We can have compassion, love, and concern for the sinner. We can do all in out power to help the sinner remove themselves from the sin and begin the process of change or repentance. Before this can happen, the sinner, must know and feel that we accept and care for them. If that feeling is not there, then they will feel that we are only focused on the sin.
Sometimes, the sinner may not want to abandon the sin. That does not mean that we should abandon them. Don't forget where to look and what you are seeing. Emulate Christ in your love and service of all mankind, not just a select few.
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