I have been listening to two major stories in the media all week; the Sha'Carri Richardson's suspension and Phylicia Rashad's potential backlash for her comments regarding Bill Cosby's release from jail. While everyone inevitably has an opinion, I think there are two scriptures that come to mind when dealing with issues of unpopular opinions and mistakes in life.
1 John 1:9-2:1 If we make it our habit to confess our sins, in his faithful righteousness he forgives us for those sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have never sinned, we make him a liar and his word has no place in us
Proverbs 18:2- A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
What have I learned from these two different stories and two different scriptures; it takes TWO! While Sha'Carri tested positive for marijuana use and was suffering from the death of her mother, she still has consequences for her actions; of which she has accepted with elegance. HOWEVER, Thats just one part of the story, remember, it takes two. She also has been forgiven by God though the power of the Holy Spirt and because of our salvation through Jesus. Have you not been caught with weed? Stolen Money? In a lie? In someone's bed? At the end of the day, she has confessed and she has accepted her consequences. She did the two things she needed to do: confessed and healed (healing).
As it relates to Ms. Rashad (whom I will gladly admit I am bias towards) why is she being chastised because she has an opinion? We all have opinions, some much more insidious than hers. Do her beliefs that Mr. Cosby is innocent make her any less amazing? Lets put it in another context.... Christ died for you and he KNEW you were everything people said about you and more! Let that sink in! Lets be about the business of pointing people to the throne and not to social media with our own personal banter which is not rooted in understanding but arrogance. Ms. Rashad apologized and has stated that she working to understand how to better express herself in matters like this.. IT TAKES TWO. She confessed and she is healing. See a Pattern!?
What am I saying, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling and mind your own business! Unless you confess and work to be a better you, you won't be much better than the last mistake you make. If you can (1) confess your sins and (2) heal and build your relationship with Christ; then the opinions of others won't matter. Its you and Christ! It just takes two!
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