By now I shouldn't be surprised when I check my social media or turn on the TV and someone new is in the news for some screw up they've done that many of my fellow “Christians“ are going to share their compassionless thoughts and opinions. And the fact that I shouldn't be surprised bothers me greatly, because we as believers should expect better from us as believers in this area. This blog article is not about the Ray Rice incident. This is about a heart issue that we must address.
How would YOU like it if YOUR sin/mistakes were broadcasted for almost everyone to see? Would you not seek and ask for grace, mercy, forgiveness? Does not God grant this to even murderers who repent (see Moses & David)? Self-righteousness is one of the most glaring deformities of Christians. You’re not perfect. Your life smells like boo-boo at times. Your actions, conversations, and thoughts are at times foul. But because the world doesn’t see it you think you can front like your life is always pristine. We have to stop being scared and fronting like we got it all together and learn to wear our brokenness as a badge of honor unto God’s grace (2Cor. 12:7-10)!
Guess what Christian? YOU ARE Ray Rice...and Darren Wilson, and Chris Brown, and any other person we’re ready to lynch via the media/social-media because of their sins/mistakes. YOU at times sin with a smile and hope no one caught you on camera. But God sees all and it’s by His grace and mercy that He doesn’t blast YOUR sin/mistakes for everyone to see. So be gracious and merciful to others in return, whether they deserve it or not, because let’s not forget we received God’s grace and mercy and we don’t deserve it. Remember, YOUR “righteousness” is filthy rags apart from Jesus; YOUR “goodness” is nothing and means nothing apart from Jesus. Thus, you have no righteousness or goodness in yourself to boast in anyway. We are to boast of and in Jesus’ righteousness and goodness manifested in our broken lives. Self-righteousness is but pride and idolatry of self camouflaged as selfies of our good actions and good character; it’s a glaring deformity that we choose to not see because we’re too focused on looking at and highlighting only or primarily the “nice parts” of ourselves.
This is why I try to boast of my weaknesses and brokenness more so or as much as my good, because any good you see or think you see in my life or from my life is all from God and for His glory. I am completely aware that if Jesus is not in my equation, if He is not my center, if He is not who I am daily surrendered to, I am a vile dude, point blank period. And guess what, so are you. So before you vent or share your opinions about other people’s sins/mistakes on social media or in your offline circles, think of YOUR sins/mistakes being put on blast by God for all to see…and remind yourself that He doesn’t. Then be merciful like your Heavenly Father is merciful (Lk. 6:36) and don’t comment like the Pharisee, comment like the tax collector (Lk. 18:9-14).
We who have received such great compassion should be the first to extend such great compassion to others (e.g. Matt. 18:21-33). Let’s pray for those (and their families) whose mistakes are put on blast by the media and lynched via social media. May they come to the loving embrace of Christ and be transformed by His grace and Spirit!
How would YOU like it if YOUR sin/mistakes were broadcasted for almost everyone to see? Would you not seek and ask for grace, mercy, forgiveness? Does not God grant this to even murderers who repent (see Moses & David)? Self-righteousness is one of the most glaring deformities of Christians. You’re not perfect. Your life smells like boo-boo at times. Your actions, conversations, and thoughts are at times foul. But because the world doesn’t see it you think you can front like your life is always pristine. We have to stop being scared and fronting like we got it all together and learn to wear our brokenness as a badge of honor unto God’s grace (2Cor. 12:7-10)!
Guess what Christian? YOU ARE Ray Rice...and Darren Wilson, and Chris Brown, and any other person we’re ready to lynch via the media/social-media because of their sins/mistakes. YOU at times sin with a smile and hope no one caught you on camera. But God sees all and it’s by His grace and mercy that He doesn’t blast YOUR sin/mistakes for everyone to see. So be gracious and merciful to others in return, whether they deserve it or not, because let’s not forget we received God’s grace and mercy and we don’t deserve it. Remember, YOUR “righteousness” is filthy rags apart from Jesus; YOUR “goodness” is nothing and means nothing apart from Jesus. Thus, you have no righteousness or goodness in yourself to boast in anyway. We are to boast of and in Jesus’ righteousness and goodness manifested in our broken lives. Self-righteousness is but pride and idolatry of self camouflaged as selfies of our good actions and good character; it’s a glaring deformity that we choose to not see because we’re too focused on looking at and highlighting only or primarily the “nice parts” of ourselves.
This is why I try to boast of my weaknesses and brokenness more so or as much as my good, because any good you see or think you see in my life or from my life is all from God and for His glory. I am completely aware that if Jesus is not in my equation, if He is not my center, if He is not who I am daily surrendered to, I am a vile dude, point blank period. And guess what, so are you. So before you vent or share your opinions about other people’s sins/mistakes on social media or in your offline circles, think of YOUR sins/mistakes being put on blast by God for all to see…and remind yourself that He doesn’t. Then be merciful like your Heavenly Father is merciful (Lk. 6:36) and don’t comment like the Pharisee, comment like the tax collector (Lk. 18:9-14).
We who have received such great compassion should be the first to extend such great compassion to others (e.g. Matt. 18:21-33). Let’s pray for those (and their families) whose mistakes are put on blast by the media and lynched via social media. May they come to the loving embrace of Christ and be transformed by His grace and Spirit!
Jesus said, ““Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then He added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”” (Matt. 9:12-13, NLT, emphasis added)
9/2014
