Exceptions

Here is an interesting one.  We are told throughout Scripture that the only way to salvation and God is through Jesus.  However it appears there are exceptions.  Take a look.

Matthew 12:39-42(NKJV)

39But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 

40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 

41The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 

42The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

I have complete confidence in Jesus.  If He wants to make an exception I am OK with that.  Look at the explanation that He gives.  The men of Nineveh showed great faith and repented and I think that is why Jesus made the exception.

The one problem that I have with the exceptions is this.  It is hard to defend staying true to your principals when we have examples like this in the Bible where Jesus made exceptions to His. 

Where I see this exemplified is in the current battles in churches today.  As an example there was an article the other day about how the Catholic Church is trying to stay "relevant" in the face of changing social mores.  I have seen articles saying the same about some Evangelical churches today as well.

Is that what churches should be doing?  Making exceptions to what the Bible says based on changing social mores?  I personally don't think that is appropriate.  I think the Church should be standing up for God's principals.  It's sometimes a hard argument to make however when the other side can point to times where Jesus made exceptions.