Lying is sin. No argument. While most have not done this on this magnitude and public scale, we have all sinned, and fall short. Yet we are so quick to judge, reject, and throw away.

This song, and this story, points to the healing that needs to take place within the church. We need mercy. We need grace. We need forgiveness. We need acceptance. We need reconciliation. Not only from Christ for our sins. But for each other for theirs.

Perhaps he felt the necessity to lie because too many in the church do not show mercy, grace, forgiveness, or acceptance for people bound in sexual and other sin. It is the dark stuff that we prefer to ignore, cover up, and then rant and rave when a public figure falls.

Amazing how so many are only willing to forgive after they have received a “sincere” apology. Yet, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. It is that kindness that leads us to repentance.

Perhaps if we showed kindness, love, gentleness, mercy, grace, unconditional acceptance, then people, yes, even leaders, might feel more confident in sharing their real struggles.

Also, while on a much larger scale, isn’t this similar to most worship leaders when they stand in front of people and lead them in songs that may not be true in their own life?

If you were drowning in a river and I jumped in to save you, people would see this as a heroic act of benevolence. And rightly so. The end result is that you would be saved.

If you were drowning in a river and I jumped in to save you, only so that I could torture you, people would see this as an act of evil. And rightly so. The end result is that you would be saved. Just because someone stopped me from torturing you, doesn’t change the act of saving you as an evil act.

In morality, it’s not only the ends that matter. We should do the right thing not just because of some cold, calculated result… but because DOING the right thing IS right.

You see this in Jesus ALL the time. He’s less concerned about the results of some action or law, and is more concerned with the heart of the person acting.

I guess what I’m saying is, I think in one important sense, Paul is wrong.

Philippians Ch 1:

15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Verse 18 is the is where the rubber meets the road for the “Healer” story, and more importantly for our attitude towards it… I love Paul’s heart… even if it meant trouble for him… as long as the Gospel was preached.

If Marilyn Manson had written the song would you feel different about it? or would you say ‘God still works through imperfect people”.
You would probably say it was blasphemy.

Remember: in our weakness, He is made stronger.