Not Only "What Would Jesus Do?"
My son, Josh (left), and friends.
There's alot of meanness going on.
And I am not referring to the world.
Sadly, there is often no more love to be found inside the church walls than outside them. Which is why I think we should stress not only, "What Would Jesus Do?", but "HOW Would Jesus Do it?"
When you look at the attitudes of some Christians against sinners, and you compare it to what we know of the way Jesus walked on this earth, you'll find little similarity. Folks, when Jesus walked this earth He was criticized for loving sinners. He ate with sinners. He hung out with sinners. Most of the harsh words He spoke was not to sinners, but to those who thought themselves better than sinners. And before you tell me He only spent time with sinners in order to "convert" them, let me assure you I don't believe that for a second. The Jesus I know doesn't make "projects" out of people. From what I know of our Lord, He is truly interested in people and in their lives. I believe He totally had a relationship with these... gasp... sinners, which is why they couldn't resist Him.
Before I go on, I'd like to make it understood that when I refer to "sinners", I mean ALL sinners, even those already saved by the grace of God, but for one reason or another are still committing sins... like baby Christians, or Christians who have lost their way. It is horrible to turn people off from the Lord who do not know Him and might not ever again find Him, but it is almost just as horrible to further injure a sick or baby Christian with your harsh, hateful judgementalism.
Jesus looked at people with love... all people. He rarely criticized, and when He did, He spoke only the words given to Him by the Father (John 12:49; John 14:10). If JESUS didn't even speak rebuke to sinners unless it was given to Him by the Father, why do we think we are qualified to go about calling people out on their sins in His name?
We were not put in this world to judge people. We were put here to love. Yes... there is wrong in the world. Yes... we have a responsibility to teach truth, but there is a time and place for everything. To run amok "teaching truth" outside of the Holy Spirit is like a toddler running about trying to help his mother cook dinner, more of a hindrance than a help. We truly must make sure the words we speak are from the Lord, especially a rebuke. Otherwise, the sinner's heart is not ready to receive the words we speak and we have just done more harm than good... caused them to move further away from God rather than closer.
We are only responsible for what the Lord gives us to say... nothing more, nothing less. If you feel you simply MUST say something to that young lady in the back row with the low-cut blouse, then get yourself some duct tape and place it firmly over your mouth until you can get your tongue under control. If you have to wonder if the words you wish to speak are of yourself or of God, then it is probably best to use my motto... when in doubt, shut up. God is a big God. He is well able to make Himself plain. If He wants you to say something badly enough, He will make sure you know what it is you are to say.
I know this blog seems harsh. It has been building inside me for quite some time. But when your life is shared with outcast teenagers who tell you story after story of the garbage "Christians" have spouted in the name of Jesus, there is no other way to react. It simply makes me want to vomit. Those "well-meaning" folks who hurt these kids went on with their lives, blissfully unaware of what they'd done. I'm sure they felt good and righteous as they walked away,,, but they left carnage in their wake. What a terrible shame.
My daughter cries like a baby every time it happens (and it does happen way too often). She says, "Mom, they might never understand how much Jesus loves them because all these people keep telling them this junk." I don't know what to say to them. I am ashamed to be associated with these "moral police". I just keep telling them that Jesus loves them... that yes, Jesus will listen to them when they pray... yes, He will save them... He wanted to save them so badly, He willingly died a horrible death to make it possible, not just for clean-cut "churched" kids, but for them. For mixed-up young men who continuously make bad decisions. For confused teenage girls never taught that beauty comes from within rather than the flaunting of their physical attributes. For the angry son rejected by his biological father. For the young lady barely more than a child who is suddenly expecting a child of her own. For all of them... for all of us.
Jesus said, "Come unto Me, ALL ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give ye rest." Jesus loves them all. Shouldn't we love them, too?
...be it unto me according to Thy word...
The world has it all mixed up honey!
God looks onto the "heart" of people, not the outward appearance.
Keep His light shinning!
Blessings:
Lady Victoria
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