Share God's Grace with Others -- Be Graceful Toward Them

There is a need in the church for us to share God's Grace with others -- to be graceful toward them, to really turn the other cheek, to model forgiveness and to know the truth in the statement -- "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

Yes, we need to share the gospel with everyone, but we do not need to beat them senseless with it. The Word of God is a two-edged sword to be used against the devil, but it is healing balm to bring restitution to those humans who have been attacked and deceived and used by the evil one.

As my mother used to warn me -- be careful when you point your finger at someone -- remember that three fingers are pointing back at you. This is something Christians, especially new Christians, need to learn real good. There was a reason Jesus hated the Pharisees ways -- they were way too judgmental. And yet we have Christians who would rather be like the Pharisees than like Jesus.

As God continues His work of restoring the Church and purifying the Bride of Christ, He is moving to rid His people of one of their deadliest sins. THAT SIN IS JUDGMENTALISM. I cannot think of a single problem that has brought more heartache, dissension, disease and destruction upon the Church than this sin.

The prophets asked, "Who will judge thy people?," and they raised a standard toward Zion (Jeremiah 4:6). No one has the right or privilege to take the place of God's Word and make himself a judge over a brother or any person in the world.

Jesus speaks clearly on this point. "Do not judge," (Matt 7:1). He said even the Father does not judge anyone, but that He has committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22). Later, He lets it be known that He Himself does not judge. It is the words He speaks that will judge in the last day (John 12:47-48).

Judgment must be left to the Word of God. If Jesus did not come to judge the world but to save it, then we have no authority or right to judge. We can be fruit inspectors (Galatians 5th chapter) and encourage others to be filled with the Spirit. But judgmentalism and holier than thou attitudes are murderous to the church and the Christian cause. "There but for the grace of God go I" is the proper attitude -- one of humility, love and respect.

The consequences of judgmentalism can be devastating. People can be crippled emotionally and psychologically for life. Many are turned off to the Church and never know the love of God because of it. Others are kept in cruel bondage under the law, works, guilt and traditions of men.

But the devastation of judgmentalism does not stop with those who are judged. It rebounds against those who pass judgment, heaping misery and destruction upon them, too.

"Do not judge, lest you be judged yourselves," Jesus said. Then He went on to elaborate on the phrase, "LEST YOU BE JUDGED:" for in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it shall be measured to you" (Matt 7:2).

When you pass judgment upon another, that same judgment comes back upon you. By judging, you speak wrath, condemnation and death upon your own head.

Immediately following His model prayer, often called The Lord's Prayer, Jesus delivered a devastating pronouncement on the subject of judging. Expanding on one of the themes of the prayer - "and forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors:" - He said: "For if you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you".
"But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions" (Matt 6:14-15)

To refuse to forgive simply means to continue to judge. If you continue to judge others, Jesus is saying, God will continue to judge you. Every believer should ponder those words carefully. They say that, when you judge someone else, you are refusing to extend the grace of God to them. And when you you refuse to extend the grace of God to others you do not receive His grace for yourself. Rather, you receive the full impact of the law of God.

FORGIVENESS IS NECESSARY

People caught up in judgmentalism try to make forgiving sound impossible. But Jesus gives us both the ability to forgive and a demonstration of how to do it. "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained," (Jn 20:23). Clearly, Jesus is placing the power to forgive in the hands of the believer.

"But," some ask, "when should you forgive?" The answer, based on Jesus' demonstration of forgiveness: The moment you have been offended.

"But what if they did it on purpose?" some ask. The answer: Forgive them on purpose! "But what if they haven't repented?" Answer: Forgive them anyway.

What is the demonstration of forgiveness that provides all these answers? Jesus' forgiveness of those who were crucifying Him. In the midst of that terrible offense, He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Lk 23:34). Were they doing their foul deed on purpose? Of course. Had they repented? Certainly not. Yet, Jesus pleaded for their forgiveness.

The Lord was teaching us something of vital importance with that illustration. He was demonstrating the fact that, WHILE GRACE CAN'T BE RECEIVED UNTIL THERE IS REPENTANCE, NEITHER CAN GRACE BE RECEIVED BEFORE IT IS OFFERED.

Let's lift a standard toward Zion and love one another, leaving judgment to almighty God. Love is all the law fulfilled in one word (Galatians 5:14).