THANK YOU for sharing this powerful story. I am continually astonished at the number of Christians who believe that hitting people over the head with condemnation is the way to change their hearts. Never once has that been successful.
One of them is made up of the “Morality Police” Christians. I wonder if they understand the wreckage their approach makes of the Gospel. Nobody needs to be told they are a sinner. If they agree we can disciple them into Christ’s presence. If they don’t agree, their time is not yet, and we must be gracious enough to continue to be their friend. We must wait for them to have a more honest look in the mirror, prompted by the Holy Spirit, possibly driven by some traumatic event.
It is my hope that the Morality Police Church will come to Christ for instruction about how to love people.
I can’t get over how profoundly insightful it was to offer Matthew a cookie. This piece is extremely thought provoking and timely. You beautifully articulated so much truth! Thank you for sharing!
Powerful. I’ve been on the dirt floor of the coliseum, the spectacle of others, a few times. I’ve also been in the bleachers, throwing rotten tomatoes at others. More than a few times. Thank you for the reminder to abide in in Jesus so that I can share His love with others.
Scott...what a profound piece, just what my sorrowful soul needed tonight. In fact, I wept through much of this. Tears are one of my "steam vents" to release sorrowful emotions. I was having a very difficult several days this past week, struggling over money, my core struggle in this material realm. I am not in debt, I am not profligate, I am not drunk or stoned on stuff (used to be quite stoned!) but just overwhelmed with the cost of things as a Senior on a fixed income. I did not expect to live to be old (almost 72). Well...Papa God had other plans, the Stealth Papa that He is (my new name for God the Father!). He does have ways that are not our ways. I was unexpectedly prayed for after church this morning, as my Bros. and Sisters in Christ could see I was in distress. (not easy to hide my sadness...). Anyway, one of my Bros. in Christ, a co-Pastor and the husband of my Mentor, a wonderful warrior lady who is now Home, just bluntly said "why are you so hard on yourself???" He has thrown down that gauntlet before...and I stammered a non-answer. I still struggle to accept God's love, how ridiculous and yet how true for so many of us. Thank you for the gentle reminder that God's Son laid down His life for me, for my sorrow, for my grief, for my failure in the material realm. What a Papa we serve, and His wonderful Son Jesus Christ! None Other. I live by Isaiah 61:1, "bind up the brokenhearted", one of the assignments God gave to me. I guess I have to have experience in just that brokenhearted state... Wendy
The older I get the more I recognize that the indispensable, most important work is internal, within our hearts and that’s best accomplished by alone time with Jesue. The writings I find here reinforce that sentiment and spur me to carry on. Thank you.
Ahhh, Scott. The freedom of offering Grace and Peace, in the spirit of Love and Mercy. I did 40 years of restless and fearful ministry in the hardline fundamentalist hellfire and brimstone tribe. I love my people, but I am so grateful for better theology. Thank you dear friend for always shining the Light on the Good stuff.
THANK YOU for sharing this powerful story. I am continually astonished at the number of Christians who believe that hitting people over the head with condemnation is the way to change their hearts. Never once has that been successful.
I'm a deist. Of the Christian variety. I have reservations about organised religion. But I found this post helpful and insightful.
I wrote a blog recently about the many “churches” found in every Christian congregation. (https://open.substack.com/pub/ianmckeracher/p/how-to-choose-church?r=eqm3w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)
One of them is made up of the “Morality Police” Christians. I wonder if they understand the wreckage their approach makes of the Gospel. Nobody needs to be told they are a sinner. If they agree we can disciple them into Christ’s presence. If they don’t agree, their time is not yet, and we must be gracious enough to continue to be their friend. We must wait for them to have a more honest look in the mirror, prompted by the Holy Spirit, possibly driven by some traumatic event.
It is my hope that the Morality Police Church will come to Christ for instruction about how to love people.
I can’t get over how profoundly insightful it was to offer Matthew a cookie. This piece is extremely thought provoking and timely. You beautifully articulated so much truth! Thank you for sharing!
Love and grace, yes, but not indulgence or liberty to sin....some extend the love and grace way past the point of personal accountability.
Riveting piece. I agree. Even if one does come to Christ out of shame, a relationship built on fear and guilt is not sustainable for long.
Powerful. I’ve been on the dirt floor of the coliseum, the spectacle of others, a few times. I’ve also been in the bleachers, throwing rotten tomatoes at others. More than a few times. Thank you for the reminder to abide in in Jesus so that I can share His love with others.
Scott...what a profound piece, just what my sorrowful soul needed tonight. In fact, I wept through much of this. Tears are one of my "steam vents" to release sorrowful emotions. I was having a very difficult several days this past week, struggling over money, my core struggle in this material realm. I am not in debt, I am not profligate, I am not drunk or stoned on stuff (used to be quite stoned!) but just overwhelmed with the cost of things as a Senior on a fixed income. I did not expect to live to be old (almost 72). Well...Papa God had other plans, the Stealth Papa that He is (my new name for God the Father!). He does have ways that are not our ways. I was unexpectedly prayed for after church this morning, as my Bros. and Sisters in Christ could see I was in distress. (not easy to hide my sadness...). Anyway, one of my Bros. in Christ, a co-Pastor and the husband of my Mentor, a wonderful warrior lady who is now Home, just bluntly said "why are you so hard on yourself???" He has thrown down that gauntlet before...and I stammered a non-answer. I still struggle to accept God's love, how ridiculous and yet how true for so many of us. Thank you for the gentle reminder that God's Son laid down His life for me, for my sorrow, for my grief, for my failure in the material realm. What a Papa we serve, and His wonderful Son Jesus Christ! None Other. I live by Isaiah 61:1, "bind up the brokenhearted", one of the assignments God gave to me. I guess I have to have experience in just that brokenhearted state... Wendy
The older I get the more I recognize that the indispensable, most important work is internal, within our hearts and that’s best accomplished by alone time with Jesue. The writings I find here reinforce that sentiment and spur me to carry on. Thank you.
A beautiful thought to begin this Sabbath day.
Ahhh, Scott. The freedom of offering Grace and Peace, in the spirit of Love and Mercy. I did 40 years of restless and fearful ministry in the hardline fundamentalist hellfire and brimstone tribe. I love my people, but I am so grateful for better theology. Thank you dear friend for always shining the Light on the Good stuff.
Amen! Been there, done that. Praise God I too am grateful for a theology that is about love and grace.