Kindness with Moral Certainty

The Pope (or Vatican, not sure) finally clarifies the Catholic Church's position on marriage, saying the Church cannot bless gay unions.  It shouldn't have to be said, and marriage should be affirmed, but I think they probably needed it because of the Pope's confusing statements over time.  If we're giving the benefit of the doubt to the Pope, he may have erred in empathy, outreach, and recognition that same-sex attracted persons have an unusually difficult plight.

I've been thinking about this sense of sympathy, "empathy," perhaps the "common ground" that Christians are trying to find with the world.  Eventually, like the Vatican, we need to reaffirm moral boundaries while being truly kind (while trying not to be jerks, I suppose).  It's a hard balance.  Regardless, I think some people will be outraged today and still think (like Elton John & major news) that the Church (or Christians with traditional moral values in general) is cruel and heartless and old-fashioned moralists.

Not big on John Piper, but I was looking for what others might have thought about a concept I've been reflecting about by googling: "The Great Divorce heartless."  It's actually a really great article (not written by Piper).  Then again, The Great Divorce is a profound little book by CS Lewis.  Reflective ones can see a bit of themselves in many of the characters.  I extend the concept from the individual to the corporate: Christians succumbing to cultural liberalism in a kind of blackmail. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/dangerous-compassion#emotional-blackmail

This sense of empathy inevitably needs moral boundaries, like Jesus, who healed people but also said to one chronically ill man after healing him, "Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." (from John 5)  That's not very nice, Jesus!  But there's a kind of kindness that is holier than niceness that is also kinda tough and clear while being loving.  What could be worse than being bedridden for 38 years?  Probably said to make His listeners imagine.  And what kind of sins can a bedridden man commit for 38 years??   Maybe that's not the right way to think about it.  Perhaps, this is a way of pointing out that all in some ways are touched by sin and all who are His are called to "take up our cross" and follow Jesus in holiness (a lifelong growth process).  Jesus has an advantage of being God the Son, sinless and all-knowing, but we can cautiously "be like Jesus" in our fallen, blemished ways.  I question how I approach things and not always know the loving but certain way, but God covers a multitude of sins and weaknesses.