But For The Grace Of God

I’ve written before, I’m sure, of the little old church lady who gossiped to me once that so and so used to be a Christian but now he drinks. Well, I’m writing this entry sitting here with an ice cold Blue Moon, a Belgian White Wheat beer…and my favorite. And, I guess I’m going to Hell…at least according the self-righteous hypocrites among us.

I guess my definition of a hypocrite is one who judges others according to a law or according to requirements that they themselves are unwilling to abide by. I don’t see the hypocrisy in proclaiming Christ, claiming the redemption He bought for me, and sharing it with others all while I still sin on a regular basis. We don’t sin because we’re hypocrites. We sin because we fail. We fail because we are weak and frail humans whose flesh is inclined to sin.

Hypocrisy and failure are two very different things. Hypocrisy is when I refuse to acknowledge my sinfulness, I present myself as self-righteous, and I judge others with the same law that I do not keep. When we gossip about the failings of others our stench is a thousand times greater in the nostrils of the Lord than the poor soul who failed. We stand and point fingers accusing others of sin when we ourselves have a beam in our own eye.

Lest we think too highly of ourselves remember that gluttony, idolatry, stealing tithe, and self-centeredness (or pride) are all sin. Are we willing to judge ourselves as we judge the actions of others? There is a tension of judging ourselves and others in love. We must be humble but not passive.

So here is the question… Can a Christian be an adulterer? I guess I would ask how many of us are adulterous toward the Lord on a regular basis. We regularly place idols above him, and pursue them relentlessly. Is this better or worse than adultery in our marriage?

I’m not making excuse or room for sin here. What I’m pointing out rather is that we are all damnable and ought to burn in hell for the transgressions we commit every single day. It is only in Jesus Christ that we live and move and have our being. It is only with Jesus Christ that everything is possible. We love the pride endearing and ego boosting sermons telling us how good and righteous we are.

Truth is I have nothing…I am nothing…aside from Jesus Christ and His Grace towards me. I am undone before Him. I weep with gratitude at his love for me. And, yes, I shamefully and wickedly sin against Him. My sin drives me to my knees in humility. It drives me back to the cross and it shows me just how helpless I am.

Who shall deliver me from this body of death? Thank God Almighty…it is Jesus Christ the righteous. When I look at others who are committing sins which I am not…instead of pointing my finger and taunting them…I must say “there…but for the grace of God…go I.”

Ride on victoriously in your majesty for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand teach you awe-inspiring things.
(Psa 45:4)