I've been reading through Mike Yaconelli's book Messy Spiritually again this week. In my opinion, e.v.e.r.y. person who seeks to be like Jesus should read this book. {it's very short & a very easy read} We were fortunate enough to see Yac in his last public speaking setting before he was killed in an auto accident in 2003. I so wish he were still around because his views & outlook on this 'thing' we call Christianity were much needed. Every time I read the book, something new seems to speak to me; this time was no different. He tells a very common story of a young couple who live together & find themselves expecting. So, instead of having a wedding {because of their shame} they get married at the court house & decided to save their money for the baby. When their friends catch on to the situation they decide to throw them party. A surprise wedding party. All their family & friends come. The couple is overwhelmed by the grace displayed before them. He goes on to finish the story like this:
The Kingdom Monitors{the 'perfect' Christians who think they have a right to decide who is in & who is out} would raise their voices immediately, "You can't do this! You are condoning the sin of two young people who lived together and conceived a baby before they were married. Real Christians do not condone unbiblical living!" And they would be correct. Christians do not condone unbiblical living; we redeem it.
I could feel the light bulb turn on in my head. How many times have I shallowly looked in on a situation thinking that someone was condoning another's actions, when in reality they were trying to help redeem it? I thought of ugly judgemental comments I've have spoken or heard over the years that have come from the mouths of many Christ followers- hateful, condescending words.
Words very far from Recovery. Healing. Forgiveness.
Words very far from Recovery. Healing. Forgiveness.
I pray that because I have been Redeemed, I am a redeemer. Before I judge or questions ones motives, I pray that I see the redemption Jesus does. To look past our sins & see what could be. How sad that too many of us have surrounded ourselves with Pharisees, that we don't even know what it would look like to show redemption to the ones who need it most. I think I would much rather be known as the person who hung out with sinners & tax collectors than a perfect Kingdom monitor. How about you?
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? Matthew 7:1-3
I found this picture when I googled the word "redemption." I thought it spoke volumes.
{photo by Zhang Jingna}
