Richard Mourdock – Scorn the Shame!

“For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory: why yet am I judged as a sinner?

“And not rather (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) let us do evil, that good may come? Whose damnation is just.” (Romans 3: 7-8)

Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock

Indiana’s state treasurer and failed US Senate candidate Richard Mourdock offered a sound response to what should be done if a woman has been raped and a child is conceived.

“Sometimes it’s God’s will,” he remarked. The media frenzy pounced on that one phrase, turning Mourdock’s sensitive statement into an insensitive, senseless remark.

He was not saying that rape was God’s will, not at all. What he did say, though, was that God can take an evil act and transform the life that is created through rape to bless the world.

James Robison

James Robison is a stunning example of God’s grace in this respect. His mother was raped, and James was conceived. His mother carried him to term, and now he is a world-renowned pastor who runs an impressive ministry in Texas and in Africa.

Paul shared in another verse which invited scorn and depravity from detractors:

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5: 20-21)

Just like the statement that  Paul made in Romans 3:8, Paul had to respond to the lies against him for Romans 5:20 –

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

“God forbid. How shall we, that are dead in sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6: 1-2)

The very notion that we have been brought from death to life in Christ would then go back and sin struck Paul as preposterous.

I would further respond, in order to illustrate this blessed point about God’s grace, that once a man has received Christ and all that He has, why would we willfully lie, steal, commit adultery, or engage in another perversion?

Those who still struggle with sin, whether addicted to pornography of substance abuse or another illicit behavior, they still struggle simply because they are trying to break free in their own efforts. They are trying to perfect their flesh, their fallen minds and bodies, when Paul instructed his readers a few verses later:

 “Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6: 11)

The world and the church refuses to accept that we are no longer in ourselves, but rather that we are in Christ, and through Him we receive all the blessings that come with Him.

In our spirit man, we are perfected forever. We still have a fallen body and mind that will think fallen things, but are no longer under sin, under Satan, but rather we are under grace. And grace is a better teacher than the law:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

“Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” (Titus 2: 11-12)

Without saying so in as many words, Richard Mourdock was talking about the power of God’s grace in the midst of man’s depravity and sin. The world misunderstood him then, and the world still misunderstands this grace now.

Shame on the media for turning Mourdock’s statement about God’s grace into a lie – their condemn­­­ation indeed is just, and Mourdock should not be ashamed of what he said.

This last scripture should bring comfort to all who walk in God’s grace:

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5: 10)