Noboby's Perfect

One can only suppose that it is the kind of thing of which right-wing, conservative, law-and-order-types-- uou know, the Rush Limbaugh-types-- would approve. A guy is a known user of illegal prescription drugs, so you roust him a little and find that, sure enough, he is packing more illegal prescription drugs. That makes sense, right? The problem is that the guy they rousted this time WAS Rush Limbaugh himself!

Just last month, Limbaugh reached a deal in a long-standing case of what is commonly called “doctor shopping.” He had been charged in obtained multiple prescriptions for painkillers from multiple doctors under false pretenses. He had received a (sweetheart) deal of having all charges dismissed after 18 months if he submits to random drug tests and undergoes treatment for his addiction to painkillers.

Yesterday, Mr. Limbaugh was detained at Palm Beach International Airport after authorities found a bottle of Viagra in his possession without a valid prescription. Well, actually, it had a prescription… it just wasn’t to Mr. Limbaugh. The explanation was that the drug was legally prescribed, but that it was “labeled as being issued to the physician rather than Mr. Limbaugh for privacy purposes.” That actually sounds plausible, I guess. But the privacy angle didn’t work out so well for him in this case. In fact, I think we can expect the commentators and comedians out there to really pile on ol' Rush this time. After all, Viagra is just a lot funnier that Percocet or Percodan!

None of us are perfect... so you would think we would know better. But there is this human tendency to respond to the foibles and failures of others with too much interest and not enough grace. We want to hear all about the latest celebrity scandal; there are entire TV shows dedicated to that kind of gossip. And when we don’t like someone (because of their politics or personality or both), we take special delight in hearing about their failures. Many left-wingers will be pouncing on this latest chapter in the Limbaugh soap opera. (Of course, Rush pounces pretty hard and fast too— just ask Bill and Hillary).

How different is the response of God to our failures and foibles. God is hurt by our sin and disappointed in our choices, but He is instantly ready to forgive when we are ready to own responsibility for our actions and make changes in our perspectives. David, who was in a position to know about such things, assures is that God overwhelms our failures with his mercy and grace— listen to Psalm 103:10-13

10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

God doesn’t tolerate sin. He doesn’t overlook sin. He never says that our sins don’t really matter. But he will forgive our sin… completely. And when forgives sin, you don’t have to worry about reading about them later. They are gone. Now, if only God’s people were as serious about forgiveness!