I cringe sometimes when I read or hear what we Christians say or how we view those who have not accepted Christ. Truth be told I am more times than I care to admit included with those who have a wrong view. I see or hear those that we have been commanded to share the Gospel with called many names or their moral failures turned into a joking matter. We call them many names including idolaters, pagans, heathens, baby killers, fornicators, adulterers and any other description of sin we can think of. Without a doubt God cannot tolerate sin and He hates sin, but He is also not willing that any should perish and showed and continues to show them great mercy, patience, long suffering and grace.
Next time you want to witness to an unsaved co-worker or neighbor why not try walking up to them and start the conversation with this ice breaker; “Hello Mr. Whoremonger, I want to tell you about faith in Jesus Christ.” How far do you think that conversation will go and how interested will that individual be in what you have to say? I am using hyperbole here but the point I am trying to make is that do we by our self-righteous attitudes, conversations and arrogance give off the impression that we are morally superior because of our faith in Christ?
When we read through the Gospels we see that Jesus reserved his most cutting remarks and righteous indignation for the religious leaders and those who claimed to be righteous based on their empty religion. Look at His interaction with the woman caught in adultery, the woman at the well, Zaccheus and the thief on the cross. Not a word of castigation or denouncement is uttered, but supreme love and compassion is shown to those who are social outcasts.
What about the Apostle Paul? Didn’t he rail against the world in his epistles? He listed off many of the sins I mentioned earlier but he reminded us; “…and such were some of you.” It is also important to keep in mind that these were letters to CHURCHES or bodies of believers. This should serve as a reminder to us that even though we may have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior we still have the capacity to commit the very sins we wring our hands and wag our tongues about. Do we forget that we set up idols of our jobs, praise of men, personal holiness standards, knowledge or even Christian service? Do we remember that we are warned that committing the sin in our mind is the same as actually committing the act? Do we lack humility and forget the gift of mercy and grace that we have been granted?
We need to approach the lost with humility and recognize that we have achieved nothing on our own. We daily rely on the Holy Spirit and the grace in which we stand to keep us from making idols, thinking impure thoughts, lying or hate. The unsaved world is not the enemy they are the mission field. Having a wrong view and approach of those apart from Christ is antithetical to the Gospel.
Having compassion for the lost and dying world is what brought about Christ’s death on the Cross. God is not willing that any should perish…are we hoping they will and get what we think they deserve?
In his book “The Jesus You Can’t Ignore” John MacArthur states; “Jesus way of dealing with sinners was normally marked by such extreme tenderness that he earned a derisive moniker from His critics: Friend of Sinners (Matthew 11:19). When He encountered even the grossest of moral lepers (ranging from a woman living in adultery in John 4:7-29 to a man infested with a whole legion of demons in Luke 8:27-39), Jesus always ministered to them with remarkable benevolence—without delivering any scolding lectures or sharp rebukes.”
If there is therefore no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus consider this; those apart from Christ and alienated from God are already under God’s condemnation and wrath. What makes us think we need to pile on and that OUR condemnation is either justified or of any eternal value? Maybe we would do well to pray for them and care for their souls rather than condemn.
No comments:
Post a Comment