Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Matthew 19:10-12 -- On Individualized Instruction

"His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it."
Matthew 19:10-12


As Christ said, all men can't recieve this saying, and there really isn't a reason to try to apply it to everyone, because it only applies to the certain people that God gives it to. However, what strikes me here is that God is aware of people with genetic differences, maimings, or who choose extreme chemical or physical modifications... and if them, then everyone, with any difference or exception who thinks that perhaps they are the only one suffering these challenges. He hasn't overlooked any of us or forgotten that we are born with mental or physical differences or challenges or intense drives, sometimes to do things that are evil. For instance, theories about people with certain genetic traits having a tendency towards violence or psychopathy. Even in the worst circumstances, imposed from without or within, God cares, and reaches out, and blesses us with hope, and a path to him.

Today, let's remember that every single person on earth is a loved child of God, whatever their mental or physical makeup. God has a plan for all of us, and when everyone doesn't fit into the get-married-and-have-children mold, or whatever other mold applies in our individual circumstances, there is still room in that plan for tweaks and personalizations and choices on an individualized basis, and a way forward. Note that I am not saying at all that God allows sin. The psychopath in the previous example isn't given a free pass by God to do violence or murder because of his or her genetic predisposition to do so. Rather, I am saying that God makes a way for each of us to find happiness while avoiding sin, whatever our inborn limitations or proclivities. He offers hope and help and individualized assistance if we look to him and accept his sayings, which the whole world might not be able to hear, but which are right for us individually.

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