The depth of deception and dysfunction in the person’s life
was astonishing. Choices he had made were bringing terrible problems into
his life. As we talked, he wanted me to tell him he was fine, that he
could continue to do what he liked to do. I thought, “If I am honest with
him, if I call his choices what they are, will he hear me? Will he feel judged
and cut off from me? "You Christians are so judgmental!"
is an accusation frequently heard these days. "Why can't you
just accept people for who they are and let them alone?" The
questions are not really questions at all. They are hurled as indictments
against Christ’s church. As a result I find myself wondering, ‘What
should I say?’ Do you wonder about that, too?
David Kinnaman, author of UnChristian,
writes that his research confirms that many people outside of the Church,
especially those who are young, view the Church's positions as
condemning. For some, the answer is to stop being truthful.
But, is that the right one? Kinnaman say, "Some Christians
respond to outsider's negativity by promoting a less offensive faith.
The more unpopular parts of Christian teaching are omitted or
deemphasized. They hijack the image of Jesus by portraying Him
as an open-minded, big-hearted, and never-offended-anyone moral teacher.
That is an entirely wrong idea about Jesus. He taught remarkably tough
truths about human beings and about sin.... Softening the message
of the Gospel is an utterly wrong response to the objections that people raise." - UnChristian,
Baker, 2007 We do no favor to those who are slaves of greed,
promiscuity, or selfishness if we comfort them with silence. Jesus says that
the Truth sets us free.
He told the Truth and He ran headlong into hatred as a result. Why
do we think that we should be different?
There are two things that we sometimes do that are offensive.
We offend if we are quick to point an accusing finger at others without authentically dealing with our own sins! The Pharisees loved to name the sins that they saw. Jesus looked deeper and saw that they used their indignation to avoid dealing with their own sins. Though less obvious than theft, adultery, or blasphemy, the Pharisee’s pride, greed, and self-righteousness were equally offensive to a holy God. Jesus challenged them to deal with their own hearts. "Don't just clean the outside of the cup," He said, "wash the inside, too." If we hide our own failures behind righteous rhetoric we will find ourselves also condemned by the Lord!
We offend if we are quick to point an accusing finger at others without authentically dealing with our own sins! The Pharisees loved to name the sins that they saw. Jesus looked deeper and saw that they used their indignation to avoid dealing with their own sins. Though less obvious than theft, adultery, or blasphemy, the Pharisee’s pride, greed, and self-righteousness were equally offensive to a holy God. Jesus challenged them to deal with their own hearts. "Don't just clean the outside of the cup," He said, "wash the inside, too." If we hide our own failures behind righteous rhetoric we will find ourselves also condemned by the Lord!
We offend if we are quick to indict people in their sin without offering hope
for forgiveness and/or transformation. In the 1980's when the
issue of abortion was at full boil in the Christian church, I saw too much
hatred and fear allowed into the discussion. Pro-lifers went for the
sensational, using incendiary words like ‘baby-killer’ or ‘murderer.’
Grisly pictures were used to shock. I was then, and I continue to
be convinced that abortion is a terrible evil, the taking of the life of
an innocent and defenseless person, an act that is abhorrent in the eyes of
God. However, I refused to join the attacks on women.
Instead, I joined forces with several like-minded Christians to create a center
where women could find answers, help, and practical care that would encourage
them to obey God and choose life for their unborn child. We forbade
our staff from using manipulative tactics based in condemnation of fear.
Instead, we made an offer of life, based squarely on the truth. I am
convinced that when we are bold to speak truth, we must complete the story by
offering the hope of redemption through Christ Jesus.
The Bible says, "The
Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the
glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He
cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has
surpassed me because he was before me.’" From the fullness of his grace we
have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through
Moses; grace
and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:14-17,
NIV) Did you notice a phrase that repeats twice? It is
this one: "Grace
and Truth." Moses brought the Law, which
told the Truth. With the Law came the knowledge of sin and guilt that
separated people from God. Jesus did not set aside the holy
requirements of the Law, but He brought Grace that gives forgiveness and
creates the possibility of transformation from the inside out. Only
by His grace are we restored to our Father, from Whom we receive the Spirit who
empowers us to be holy.
As we represent the Lord to others, we will
inevitably run head-long into sin. Called to be God’s voice, we cannot
fall mute. May our message include liberal amounts of the grace that is
greater than all our sin. Ponder this today. This
is the word from the Word. "God’s
law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people
sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as
sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace
rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God
can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have
died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" (Romans
5:20-6:2, NLT)
______________
Miracle In My Heart
We are called
To be prophets to this
nation,
To be the word of God,
In ev'ry situation,
Change my heart,
Change my heart today.
Who'll be the salt,
If the salt should lose
its flavor?
Who'll be the salt,
If the salt should lose
its flavor?
Change my heart,
Change my heart today.
Lord, loose the chains of
oppression.
Lord, set the captives
free.
Lord, fill my heart with
compassion.
Shine Your light, shine
Your light,
Shine Your light through
me!
Work a miracle in my
heart!
Work a miracle in my
heart!
Work a miracle in my
heart!
O Lord, today.
Lord, take all my lies
And all of my greed,
Let me be a sacrifice
For those who are in need.
Change my heart,
Change my heart today!
Lord, without Your power,
It's all just good
intentions.
Lord, without Your grace
Who could find redemption?
Change my heart,
Change my heart today.
Brian Houston
© 1998, 1999 Thankyou Music
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
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