Are we hearing the Questions?

There is debate as to how to reach the lost world for Christ. In truth the people of the Church must make the Gospel relevant to each listener. Consider how Jesus approached the Woman at the well, the demoniac in the tombs, the Disciples prior to and after feeding the multitudes and how about the "Religious Elite" (as opposed to Nicodemus). Times of discernment call for hearing what questions are actually being asked, before we can tell them what needs to be heard.

One source of questions I have heard has come from a band I enjoy called "Linkin Park". One song is called Breaking The Habit part of it says;

Clutching my cure, I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again, I hurt much more
than anytime before, I had no options left again
I don’t want to be the one, the battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize that I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream, I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean, I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright, so, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit Tonight

It is not hard to hear the lyricist's pain. Is this a cry for help that resonates with young and old (hey, I like the song, and 50 is just days away, old is a state of skate board proficiency). How many of us have figured out that we can't fight every battle, but we can't decide which? We look back at what we did, shake our heads and are puzzled at our own behavior, however we are clearheaded enough to tell anyone else how to clean up their act!

When we do find forgiveness, as hard as that is, we promise to NEVER do it AGAIN, but how long does that last?

Rather than a pointed finger, a broken heart/spirit needs an open hand, and a lift up as Jesus did for the Woman caught in adultery. After the accusers were gone, Jesus patiently waited then He said softly, "Go and sin no more," end of story. God welcomes the broken, contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). The proud, the self-righteous: whether they are religious or not, will find no mercy.