A Cry for Grace

I recently read a Facebook post reporting that NBC had reinstated Brian Williams to the network following his dismissal over the issue of lying.

The responses to the post were upsetting to me, partly because I have always been a fan of Brian Williams. But also because the vitriol leveled against both Williams and NBC was so deeply disturbing.

In fact, I was so affected by the toxic nature of those responses that I posted my own response. It read: 

“I am so sorry that I haven't had the pleasure of meeting so many perfect people.” Yes it was a sarcastic response and I intended for it to be.

This morning the post seems to have been taken down.

Now there was a consistent theme running through those responses: Brian Williams did not deserve a second chance and NBC was no longer a trusted network all because Brian Williams got caught lying on camera.

For many it seems that Brian Williams’ offense was in the category of an unpardonable sin. 

But I have a question: Haven’t we all told a lie or two in our lives? Really, is there anyone alive who hasn't told at least one lie in life?

I really do have serious problems with so much righteous indignation from so many self-righteous people. 

There’s a story in John’s Gospel of Jesus being asked to pass judgment on a woman caught in adultery (the ultimate violation of trust). Under the Law the woman was subject to be stoned to death.

But Jesus instead invited her accusers who had never sinned to throw the first stone at the woman. They all slowly vanished into the background never to be heard from again.

You see the overarching theme in the Bible is one of forgiveness and justice. Forgiveness and justice are two Biblical words that go together like peanut butter and Jelly. 

Forgiveness acknowledges evil but it is also willing to extend compassion and mercy even though judgment and punishment are deserved. 

Justice is a bit trickier. There are two forms of justice. One is retributive. Retributive justice seeks a pound of flesh for a pound of flesh, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 

Our criminal justice system operates according to this retributive principle. It knows no other way to seek and distribute justice. It’s also known as vengeance. The accusers of the adulterous woman were calling for retributive justice.

Biblical justice however is always restorative. 

Restorative justice is linked to God’s grace as opposed to retributive justice being linked to some legal code or system. 

The Bible is loaded with examples of how God administers restorative justice: An adulterous and murdering King David is restored to his place as king although he dearly paid for his actions over the course of his lifetime.

Saul of Tarsus hunted down followers of Jesus, imprisoned and persecuted them. He was a religious fanatic and a terrorist. He even took part in the stoning death of Stephen the first Christian martyr. Yet God restored him by grace to become an Apostle of Jesus. 

Both of these Biblical giants were recipients of restorative justice. Each one of them was given a second chance as it were in spite of their horrendous offenses. Had retributive justice been applied in their cases there would be less Psalms authored by David and there would be no letters in the New Testament authored by the Apostle Paul. Think about that!

Was Brian Williams’ offense of lying wrong? Sure it was. Has he paid a stiff price for his offense? I am sure he believes he has. Can he ever be trusted again?

Well let me ask you again a personal question: 

Have you ever told a lie before? Have you ever stretched the truth a wee bit for your own benefit? Have you ever fudged on your income tax returns? Have you ever been less than truthful with another person before? Have you ever lied to your spouse about how much money you spent on that new dress or how many beers you drank? 

If so can you no longer be trusted by anyone for the rest of your life? 

If you believe in retributive justice then you can never be trusted again to tell the truth. Right?

If however you believe in the Biblical principle of restorative justice then there is always the hope of a second chance and a third and so on. Grace knows no limits! Forgiveness has no glass ceiling.