I wrote this a while back but thought it was a refreshing reminder to myself as well as others.....
I have recently ran across two separate examples of "Christians" who have really crushed my heart and spirit. These two examples of "Christians" refers to nobody I know personally, but to people I have seen on TV. One day I saw a commercial for the Tyra Show that was going to feature these 4 young Christian women who were very controversial in their stance against homosexuality. I thought that it might be interesting to see what these "Christian" women had to say, so I watched the show (I do not make a habit of watching the Tyra Show, nor should anybody else for that matter!). It only took a few moments of listening to these women speak out against homosexuality before I wanted to cry and call the Tyra Show, or do something, in order to apologize on behalf of all Christians for the attitude and behavior of these women! Oh, they sure knew their Scripture, quoting verses left and right about the holiness of God, and his wratch against sinners, and all the verses relating to the sin of homosexuality. As I'm watching these women, there's no compassion on their faces, but almost smirks of hatred! I watched them smile and smirk as they told Tyra that if homosexuals do not repent they will burn in hell. I'm not against teaching the whole counsel fo God, which includes the penalty for our sins, but shouldn't that penalty move us to compassion? When do Christians have the right to become so high and mighty, as if they're so far above those who have a homosexual lifestyle? Not a single word was spoken about their own joy and salvation in Christ in realization of their own sins, and not a single word of hope was given, not a single word of Christ and His saving power. Don't we remember what it was like without Christ? Don't we remember that without Him and His amazing hand of mercy on our life we ourselves could be involved in just as gross of a sin?!
These women reminded me of the Pharisees. Pharisees were experts on the Law, on interpreting the Law, and almost seemed to take joy when they could catch others not abiding by the Law. Yet they did not please God, for they had not the love of Christ. These women, they knew God's Word! But what of it? What did Christ himself call the Pharisees? White washed tombs, a brood of vipers, and several other things that I would not be so proud of to be called.
It's not my place to say whether or not these women truly know Christ, I pray they do. But I pray that if they do, they would be moved to compassion rather than hatred for those who are without Christ and in their sins. The only people Christ appears to speak harshly too were the hypocritical pharisees! To the sinners and tax collectors and prostitutes, he showed love and compassion, eating with them, healing them. As CHRISTians, Christ is our example!
Lord keep us humble. Keep us aware of your holiness, yes, and how you require perfection. But also keep us ever mindful of Christ, who is our perfection! Let us not leave that wonderful part of your redemption story out!!
There was another example, but I've gone on too long, so I'll just leave it at this for now.
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