In recent interactions with a number of people, I've had my grace challenged. It's rather amusing, b/c in one week, I had two different people claiming that I operated in far too much grace, and another saying he wasn't seeing the usual grace in which I lived my life. As I said, amusing.
The former person made this statement about grace, and it was exceptionally profound to me in a number of ways. He asked the question about "easybelievism" and made a rather broad statement about believing that grace covers un-repented sin.
In the midst of all the grace bashing, I've had the opportunity to come face to face with some folks who I never imagined I'd speak to again. They had a hand in running me out of my church, and hurting my heart. They betrayed my trust in them, and in Christians in general. I'd gone to great lengths to avoid them, but God in His infinite wisdom (thankfully not listening to my minor rants and whining) kept bringing me back to a place where I had to encounter these people. I couldn't continue to live my "justified life" in the safety of "yes but God they did wrong." Because I am every bit the sinner that they are. Romans 12:3 There is nothing that separates me from them in God's eyes. . .nothing. We are His - not our own. Even though He gives us the freedom to make our own pitiful choices, we are still His.
I chose grace. Let me repeat that in case you didn't hear it the first time - I. CHOSE. GRACE.
And I've chosen grace many times in my life. Grace that was undeserved was often given. Freely given in fact, without expectation of restitution. The very definition of grace is "free" and "unmerited" favor of God. In my desire to be more like the One who has given me an abundance of undeserved, free, and unmerited grace, I extended it to those just.like.me. Hebrews 13:9
The reality is this - we live in a world where people are dying for grace. And it's a shame, b/c Jesus already died for it. Galatians 2:21 We spend our days justifying our worthiness of the very grace we refuse to give to others. Jesus never commanded us to measure whether or not another is worthy of grace. He told us, "Give as you've been given. Forgive as you want your Father to forgive you. He told us to be cautious in our judgments, b/c the way we judge others is how God will judge us. We're told to consider the least of these. . .and instead of daring to stand next to them, and take their hand and walk with them to a place of grace,(Hebrews 4:16) too many Christians are measuring the lost against their own self righteousness. I Peter 5:5 The righteousness of Christ was found when He let a whore wash His feet. The righteousness of Christ was seen when spat in the dirt and opened blind eyes. It came to be known when He chastised the disciples for hassling Mary. It was seen when He tongue whipped the Pharisee's for their judgment of the appearance of others.
Grace is not a license to sin. Romans 6:15 Don't misunderstand this point. Grace doesn't mean you get to go out and act like Dexter and God's cool with that. Because He isn't. But it does mean that your forgiveness ticket is pretty much guaranteed. Oooo I can hear ya'll now. . .that's a dangerous statement to make. But it's true. The word tell us that nothing can separate us from the love of God, that His grace is sufficient for us. His grace is sufficient - meaning adequate for the purpose. God's grace is beyond adequate - each one of us is walking, talking proof of that.
So where does that leave us? Should a Christian be allowed to live any old way they want? In a word, yup. That's the beauty and ugliness of free will. Should we as Christ followers want to live in a way that isn't glorifying to God? Absolutely not. But the glory of God is found for each person in their own walk with Him. Titus 3:7 It isn't to be defined and accosted onto others just b/c we don't like certain behaviors or actions. For instance, my faith was brought into question b/c I have a drink every once in a while. I don't get a drunk. I don't dance on tables. I don't get belligerent. I just enjoy a nice cold one watching the ball game, or a glass of wine on a date, or even a mixed drink to wind down after a long day. Jesus has no problem with the consumption of wine - in fact, His first documented miracle was turning barrels and barrels of water into wine for a wedding. (Hate to bust the Baptist bubble, but it wasn't Welches) He does however, have a problem if I consume so much that I can't function as a wife, mother, or the daughter He's called me to be. So I know my limit, and I am careful to walk in the place of being submitted to Him even in having a drink. Some people would criticize those who consume alcohol, and judge them harshly when they themselves stumble at the all you can eat buffet. (weyullll)
My point is, anything can ibecome a sin if you let it. Including the way you act at church. Just b/c you're there every time the lock snaps back into the door doesn't make you more deserving of Grace or Forgiveness or more righteous than the woman who only comes once a month b/c she's working to keep food on the table and the electricity on in her home. But I doubt very seriously she judgesi others as harshly as she's judged by those who are supposed to bring the good news to her.
And that another thing (while I'm at it) - why is it that the "church" expects people to come to them. Just about every message Jesus ever shared about witnessing to people He told them to "go." He didn't say, "Build a program and they'll come ya'll." He said, "get off your butt, get out there, go get them, and tell them I love them." Never did he say, "Keep inside these walls boys, that world out there ain't worth it." He routinely fellow-shipped with the scourge of society. The great commission wasn't about "staying" it was about "going."
I'll leave ya'll with this - be awfully careful in your judgment of others. You don't always know the path they've walked, or the place they're in with Jesus. He warned quite explicitly about causing His beloved ones to stumble. You don't want to find yourself in a place of knowing your actions turned someone away from His saving grace. Ephesians 2:8-9
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. - Col 3:12-13
