Over the past few weeks, several names have dominated Christian media at various times, for various reasons – President Donald Trump, Bishop Eddie Long, Pastor Kim Burrell, and most recently, Vickie Yohe. Depending on who you talk to, there is no room at the cross for these individuals. Their sins are too great, and the damage they have done to those they have hurt, and/or offended, can not, and should not be atoned.

Now before I continue, let me say that I do not, under any circumstances, condone hate, or abuse, of any kind – physical, sexual, verbal, financial, emotional, etc. At the same time, I am concerned about a recurring theme that seems to suggest that truth and mercy, justice and forgiveness, are diametrically opposed to each other. There seems to be no room at the cross for both truth and mercy, justice and forgiveness.

Why can’t we acknowledge the truth of their wrongs, and extend the mercy of Christ by praying that they do not receive the wages of sin?

Why can’t we forgive, as we have been forgiven?

Why can’t we extend mercy to them in their weakness, knowing that we ALL have fallen short of the glory of God?

Why can’t we give justice to the abused, and forgive the abuser?

Why can’t we stop being complicit in the abuse of those who have been taken advantage of, by no longer questioning the authenticity of their scars?

Why can’t we create safe places of healing and peace for the abused, and provide rehabilitation and restoration for the abuser?

Will we make room at the cross for all of us? Or, will we confine Jesus to the limitations of our mortality, and subsequently nullify the work of the cross?

Be sure to check back for part two of “No Room Left At The Cross.”