Yelling seldom works

Yesterday I watched a video of a young man who says he loves Jesus yet was upset because another Christian “agreed with his message” but was against him because of his tattoos. He called his video a ‘rant’ and sounded off at the organized church for not being biblical but critical of whatever didn’t fit their traditions.

I felt sorry that he had been judged for a cultural issue but sad because he was also judging other Christians who were letting him down. He did say that we all fail in many ways, yet didn’t seem to realize that God rarely asks us to point fingers and yell at each other. The NT is filled with admonitions to love, care for and encourage our brothers and sisters in the Lord. If anyone falls into sin, we are supposed to be filled with the Spirit and restore them.

Today’s devotional reading comes from a passage describing what Jesus did with our sin and how we are to live in this land as His representatives because of his mercy:

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2)

An ambassador represents his/her homeland with tact and decorum. As a child of God, I’m responsible to take care of the reputation of my King AND of His subjects. Some of them are wonderful examples of what it means to be included in the kingdom of God. Sadly, some fail in that assignment. However, Jesus has saved both, not based on their behavior but by His grace. He also says our testimony to the world is our unconditional love for each other. Jesus demonstrated this when He washed the feet of His disciples and told us to do likewise:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35)

I must remind myself that Judas was there too and that God’s love includes the worst of the worst.

The Apostle Paul also loved the family of God. For them, he says:

“We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.” (2 Corinthians 6:2–13)

This man suffered greatly for the church. He had a big heart, even for the Christians at Corinth to whom he gave many rebukes. Also, he was like Jesus in that he loved righteousness and hated iniquity. He knew that he could not claim any good thing and could say with Martin Luther: “Oh, Lord Jesus, Thou art my righteousness— I am Thy sin!”

^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You are sinless yet You bore my sin that I might have Your righteousness. When my focus is on Your great salvation without any claim that I earned or deserved it, then judging others is a non-issue. We are all in the same privileged place of mercy and grace. May You keep my heart ‘wide’ so I can endure all things for Your glory and for the sake of Your people.