Condemnation or Grace?

[Redefine_Me]

Hyper-Grace From Our Awesome God

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Amazing Huh!

Joe

[stan4257]

Christians are the only ones that shoot their wounded!

I think that is a very penetrating observation, one which I had not heard before, but one which I intend to remember and quote when appropriate.

What non-Christians say about me seldom hurts, unless what they say is true, but anything negative or without love in the intention that Christians say about me is bound to wound me whether it is true or not, because I love my brothers and sisters.

I did not read the statement to mean that all Christians shoot all wounded, God forbid. It is painful enough that some do.

[Vickilynn]

Christians are the only ones that shoot their wounded!

I think that is a very penetrating observation, one which I had not heard before, but one which I intend to remember and quote when appropriate.

What non-Christians say about me seldom hurts, unless what they say is true, but anything negative or without love in the intention that Christians say about me is bound to wound me whether it is true or not, because I love my brothers and sisters.

I did not read the statement to mean that all Christians shoot all wounded, God forbid. It is painful enough that some do.

Shalom Stan,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, the first time I heard the saying, I was floored. It really pierced my heart and you know, I've seen it really happen over and over and over again in the Body of Messiah.

Sometimes Christians can forget that " there but for the grace of G-d, go I." And we are to forgive as we have been forgiven, love as we have been loved and be gracious as we have received grace.

Thank you for your post Stan.

[Vickilynn]

Shalom,

Thank you to those who responded in the true understanding of this thread, that Jesus LOVES us. We, as Christians MUST spread that truth, especially to those inside the church who have been "beat up" by Christians running around judging hearts and spewing out condemnation. This can drive Christians away from Jesus.

We must NEVER be a stumbling block to anyone, sinner or saved sinner.

If we speak to our brother or sister about something they do, it MUST be covered in G-d's grace, and never condemnation, as we see so often.

And we must remember, that we too, are sinners, saved by grace and we are forgiven much and we are commanded to forgive much.

Consider these words Jesus said about a woman with a sinful past:

Luke 7:47

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven

[Emily~Anne]

Who I Am In Christ: http://www.achristianhome.org/TopicalPages...IAmInChrist.htm

[stan4257]

Kids, play nice.

I think we all do our best, but like you say we are still kids and things get a bit rough now and again as we play. But our intentions are good.

[Smalcald]

I think for me I find myself MORE judgemental the worse I am doing spiritually.

[stan4257]

I think for me I find myself MORE judgemental the worse I am doing spiritually.

That is excellent. Shows without doubt that the spirit within you is aware of something not quite right and is prompting you to do something about it. My challenge when that occurs in my life is not to take it out on somebody else when if fact it is me that is out of kilter.

The remedy is as simple as looking into a mirror and not out of the window.

I thank God that being a Christian is so simple. The only complications are when we make it complicated.

[Smalcald]

Maybe also we all have different roles to play in the Church regarding judgment or what is seen as judgment. For example Paul was obviously called to guide and sometimes chastise the Churches he was guiding. Each of these situations in these Churches was different, for example the Greek's basically did not want to give up the sins of the flesh, this was what they came from, so Paul was stern with them on these issues, other Churches had other problems. But from an individual standpoint, what does that have to do with me? Really nothing. Consider Mary, the Mother of our Lord, how often in scripture did she rebuke, chastise or judge another human? In fact from scripture it seems she did not even speak very much, but she simply obeyed. To me this is a wonderful example of how to follow Christ.

So sometimes I do think those who are leaders of congregations must guide through pointing out sin and sometimes pointing out individual sin, but I don't see that as a role for the average Christian, in fact it seems we can do great damage to ourselves spiritually by doing this.

[Vickilynn]

I think for me I find myself MORE judgemental the worse I am doing spiritually.

That is excellent. Shows without doubt that the spirit within you is aware of something not quite right and is prompting you to do something about it. My challenge when that occurs in my life is not to take it out on somebody else when if fact it is me that is out of kilter.

The remedy is as simple as looking into a mirror and not out of the window.

I thank God that being a Christian is so simple. The only complications are when we make it complicated.

Shalom Smalcald and Stan,

Amen and amen, good words!!

Yes, I believe those we see who are always judgmental and condemning may not be NOT seeing their own sin, but focusing on others to escape their own sin.

I find that true in my own walk as well. When I am convicted of something and I am running from G-d, I find myself VERY critical, especially of my family. When it is in fact my sin G-d is pointing out about something and I, in the flesh, fight it, I in turn become critical of others. I believe many others in the Body do the same.

When we see the same people over and over preaching only condemnation, judgment, and calling Believers "Sin", Sin, Sin" and ignoring the mercy, forgiveness and grace of G-d for our sin, then we have to consider that person is not balanced in thei walk and may have a critical spirit as a means to avoid their own sin.

The message we should be hearing is grace, mercy and forgiveness of our sins and we serve G-d because we LOVE Him and recognize what He has forgiven us from, not because we are afraid of losing salvation or being condemned. And yet, balanced with that we are expected by G-d to walk holy as He is holy and to walk in His ways, not to continue to willfully sin. But, if we DO sin we can know G-d's forgiveness again through Jesus, if we truly repent and desire to walk according to His Word.

That is the Biblical message, not the lopsided one we keep seeing of condemnation only with no grace.