Today’s post might not make me any friends. It might even make a few enemies. I considered not writing it because I didn’t want to step on any toes, but it’s what’s on my heart and that’s the whole point of this blog. To speak whatever comes to my heart and mind in the hopes that it brings about healing– for me, and maybe for you too. So, after prayerful consideration I decided to go ahead and put the thing that’s burning in my heart today on “paper” (What else would I call it? Put it on “blog”? On “pixels”? I don’t know, I’m old school. I’m going with paper).
The Pharisees of the Bible are alive and well. Nowadays, they’re called Christians. Not all Christians, but some of them. Enough of them. These are the people Ghandi spoke about when he (supposedly) said “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” You know the type. The holier-than-thou I’m right and you’re wrong kind of Christians that seem to proliferate whenever they think somebody is not following God’s law. They respond by picketing and judging and puffing themselves up for their rightness while condemning another’s wrongness. This week I even had one of them tell me that I couldn’t possibly be a Christian and a Democrat at the same time. But I proved them wrong because here I am loving Jesus and Obama at the same time. Go figure.
Look, I’m not saying I’m perfect. Lord knows I’ve made my share of mistakes. But that’s my point, really. The Lord knows it. If he doesn’t like what I’m doing, his Spirit will convict me. I don’t need a picket sign or someone giving me attitude to do it. It’s between me and God, and I believe this is the same way we are supposed to interact with this world. It is not our job to judge or condemn. It is our job to love. To show people Jesus through our lives and to make them see him in us and want him! That’s it. That’s all! Not to point fingers or tell others how to live. They’ll make their own choices between them and God. We are to focus on our own planks not other people’s splinters. We are supposed to let our lights shine so others will see him through us and God will be glorified. John 13:35 says “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”. Not by picket signs and pointing fingers.
I want the world to want Jesus, and I don’t see how I can serve him in that purpose by being a bully. Jesus wasn’t a bully. He didn’t carry picket signs. He didn’t condemn, judge, or accuse. He loved. Remember the woman who committed adultery? The Pharisees wanted to stone her. Jesus said “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7). No one was without sin, so no one threw a stone. Jesus forgave her and told her not to sin again. He didn’t condone her behavior, he corrected her with love. That’s his job, to do the correcting. Ours is only to bring people to him. This is what I believe and, right or wrong, it’s how I try to live my life.
Love. I’m going to choose love. Peace out.
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40
Lifted Lady 
Perfectly stated!
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