You know, we like to talk about, and are constantly needing and receiving God’s grace. But have you ever stopped to ponder how often we are willing to extend that same grace to eachother?
Christian speaker, Mike Foster, notes in an essay from the book UNchristian, “I’m not sure how it happened exactly, but it seems that grace, which is Christianity’s most core issue, is struggling to survive.” And I’m inclined to agree. It saddens me greatly to see a growing attitude of judgment in the Christian community. Because what does judgment accomplish? Have you seen anyone decide to change their ways, accept Christ, or be truly and genuinely repentant for something because they were judged into doing it? I certainly haven’t. Do you want to know what will yield that desired effect? Forgiveness. Encouragement. GRACE. ‘
We should never compromise our standards or values as to what is an acceptable or appropriate decision or lifestyle, because as Christians, those are ultimately given to us by God. But we should always be willing to extend grace and forgiveness to those who need it the most.
C.S. Lewis makes an interesting point relating to this issue, when he stated, “This year, or this month, or, more likely, this very day, we have failed to practice ourselves the kind of behavior we expect from other people.” How very true, because so often we hold others to expectations we would never even place on ourselves! You see, you and I are in a constant state of showing ourselves grace over and over again. How frequently do you do something that repulses you, or say things that you quickly realize after the fact were just stupid? But yet, you and I find a way to forgive ourselves. Well now, its time to forgive others.
Listen to this powerful excerpt from Ephesians:
4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
For too long we, myself included at times, have been satisfied to only offer condemnation and judgment for those who are fallen and broken, or who have never even staked the claim of Christianity. Lets turn the page in Christian culture and start being a community and a faith that brings healing rather than hurt, and is willing to meet people where they are and point them to right relationship with a God who loves them dearly. After all, isn’t that Jesus Christ did for you and I?
I agree, but godly sorrow worketh repentance. No godly sorrow no repentance.
John the Baptist preached bold and hard and the people repented. Maybe we’re being too “soft” on sin today.
I challenge you to read “The Intolerant Christ” for a little more on this…
C. D.
I agree with you as well, but I also agree with Clay. Society today seems to be trying to make Christianity out to be this fun fluffy fun time, and at times it is. If a person can’t take being judged before they are a christian then they will be shocked to find, if they become one, that you are more harshly judged after being a Christian. It is a part of us humans that isn’t good but is a natural reaction to meeting someone. Also sometimes people take someones perception as judgement, when they never meant to judge at all.
Good points made!
Clay, in regard to your comments I agree in some sense and as I stated in the 3rd paragraph I do not believe that we should compromise what is acceptable or right in an effort to make Christianity more appealing or ‘open’, or for any reason.
And I think we need to make clear to others our own beliefs and values, but when someone is facing the fallout from a mistake or indiscretion, I believe we need to be there to pick them back up, dust them off, and help them start again.
But as you alluded to, I certainly don’t believe we should ever stray away from preaching the straight-up gospel, and taking a stand against what we believe to be wrong. But forgiveness and grace should always be openly available from all of us to those who seek it, because it is certainly available from God.
In regard to Jamie’s comments, it is an unfortunate but true reality that Christians can sometimes face judgment and scrutiny, and we should certainly be aware of that and as a result guard our actions and statements so as not to cause someone else to stumble, but I think it is up to us to remind those around us that we are in no way, shape, or form perfect, and to point them to the one true perfect example of how to live a life, and that’s Jesus.
O Johnny I think you and I both know that I am perfect….JUST KIDDING!