I keep running into people who have been hurt by churches. Things that a pastor or a leader said to them. Lack of a welcome. A large dose of guilt. By far, the greatest infraction that I see repeated over and over again in the stories of pain, are instances of judgement. People were hurt because they were excluded or judged by someone at their church.
I hope that you can see how much it hurts others when we measure, judge or condemn them. I hope that we can see that the only people that Jesus crushed were the religious hypocrites who judged others. Jesus spread love.
God's love is big and broad and wide. I heard someone say the other day that God does not draw lines of separation, He draws circles that take people in.
The church will never win people by judging them. If you see someone that you don't like, or you don't like what they are doing, love them. Reach out. Give them a dose of grace. That is the only medicine that will touch them. Judgement provides lasting pain. Grace is the gift that keeps on giving. Go heal someone.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
More from Rob Bell
Roman 8 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
“None
No Shame
No list of what is being held against us.
No record of wrongs.
It has simply been done away with.
It is no longer an issue.
Bringing it up is pointless.
Beating myself up is pointless.
Beating others up about who and what they are not is going the wrong direction. It is working against the purpose of God. God isn’t interested in shaming people; God wants people to see who they really are……”
This would be great to have printed off and carry at all times. A great reminder of God’s truth “not man’s” for those times we don’t feel worthy. A great tool to have handy when you meet someone who has yet to understand the truth God has spoken.
Peace,
Lion’s Den Man
Post a Comment