Whether we do things wrong unknowingly ...or whether we tweak it a bit to avoid calling it sin, yes, we do all make mistakes. And we all do need to try to move on ...not on away from God, but 'on' a path to recommit to doing what we can confidently say God would have us to do.

We are not to confuse the forgiveness that God extends as a green light to promote to others that they have a free pass to do the same without consequence.

Our motivation should not be centered on consequences in the first place.  And perhaps the consequences of our actions will not be felt by us, as we may be truly forgiven, but the impact may be sadly felt by future generations.

Most of us don't want anything to befall our children ...we love them so much!!

Yet, do we love the future generations we don't see??  Do we love the grandchildren when they get beyond the cute stage?? Our children will certainly love their own children ...and their children will love the children they will one day have.  But, who can anticipate or foresee the changes that will undoubtedly take place as a result of our putting our love for them in a perspective that dodges any questionable feelings, or challenging moments where love would forbid be misinterpreted as tough??         

Tough love is more often considered lack of love in today's world.

So, it may be called complacency ...or it could be called universal acceptance, where in the past it may be called lack of backbone and avoiding conflict at any cost.

But, what has been the cost.  Who wants their children to furrow their foreheads, gathering a tear, and barely able to voice the cruelest of realizations: "You hate me!"

"I say, NO, to tough love ...that's not love at all!  I doubt you even know what love is."

Or is that all wrong??  The greatest love of all is always in doubt in the minds of many, though it is still undoubtedly there...the love of Jesus, the love of the Father who sent His Son, and the love of the Holy Spirit who so often settles for last place with our divided attention, yet continues to encourage us in areas that seem otherwise hopeless.

In fear of our children not understanding our love, we've even attempted to tweak the Word of God to suffice gaining their approval.  And in doing that, the greatest fear that I can imagine has been horrifically realized.  So many don't truly know God.

In fear of not offending, we have by default ...promoted so many wrong things, that the Bible clearly states as wrong.  And we've replaced the validity of the Bible with our own authority of what the majority feels is right and true.

And it didn't even begin with the majority ...but, with a very organized vocal minority who convinced the marginal middle of their authenticity and led them to believe they were the majority, until they could increase their vocal base to be even more convincing.

Yet, He was not in the strong wind, the fire, or the earthquake ...but, in the soft quiet voice.  There are many who speak strongly and blow like the wind.  There are those who will fire their words, and make it seemingly too hot to endure.  And there are those who attempt to shake the earth, and make your spirit quake.  Yet, there is a soft caring voice, waiting to soothe your soul.

        *****************(1 Kings, Chapter 19)********************