Unrighteous Judgment
Why does the church and society grade sins as non acceptable and acceptable? Probably because of our legal system. The human law punishes sin according to its degree of serious. Murder is considered more sinful than pilfering, lying or stealing. This of course makes sense. Hence we have misdemeanors and felonies. Many self righteous religious people condemn homosexuality, drug addiction, pedophilia, murdering, raping, cheating, stealing, and other unacceptable and unmentionable practices as a certificate to hell. But often forget that unforgiveness, religious pride, self righteousness, self consciousness, stubbornness, rigidness, fear and unbelief, and hypocrisy, are all sins of the flesh in God’s eyes. When it comes to God’s standards we must go up to a much higher level; it’s all about missing the mark. A miss is as good as a mile. If you run a race and there is only one winner then coming in second and another coming in last, does not mean the runner up wins. You may qualify for a second prize, but the passport to heaven is not for runners up. If children were to take an exam or test at school and the pass mark was 100% its wrong if some kid debases or deprives another, because the kid’s grade was only 40% when his own grade was 99%. If the pass mark is 100% they both failed. A miss is as good as a mile. Probably the large majority of church goers and those on the media that claim they are Christians are almost Christians. If you feel that you have to do something or have the ability to make it to heaven then you are almost a Christian. “Then Agrippa said to Paul. ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’” (Acts 26:28) Not good enough. “There is none righteous, no, not one;” (Rom.3:10) I defy any believer to be able to prove that since they have become a Christian they are so developed and mature in their faith and walk with God that they are now completely free from sin. They now walk in complete perfect holiness and righteousness 24/7. They claim this has happened through their commitment to prayer, fasting, discipline, and turning aside from worldly pleasures. Perhaps they have reach 99% and the rest of us mere mortals are at a much lower grade. But they still miss the mark which is perfection! Without Christ, heaven would be an empty place; no humans would have made it. Aren’t you glad that Jesus not only paid the price for our sin, but He also replaced our old fallen nature with His new life? “If anyone is in Christ they are a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2.Cor.5:17) This makes self righteous religious people mad and you will be accused of being a “greasy grace lover.” They love legalism and can’t get free from it so they are depending on their high grade level to make it to heaven, rather than Jesus. If you have thoughts or practices that make you feel ashamed and condemned don’t listen to those self righteous religious people, but open up to Jesus for whatever your sins or failings are, He will not condemn you, but cleanse and sustain you. People may be shocked if they heard your confession, but God will not be. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb.5:15) Be careful Christian that you don’t condemn other people’s sins and accept your own, just because you have never been tempted or fallen into that kind of behavior. Remember, Jesus must have been tempted in every kind of heinous sin to be able to help and understand those that feel like outcasts from the church and society. The Gospel is “Good News” for everyone who is willing to accept. It points to – JESUS! David Walters.
Check out Kathie’s book, “The Spirit Of False Judgment.”
David Walters
Questions? Ask David!