Free Grace ... restrictions apply

God sent His son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:17

Recently I stood before a congregation at a small Christian church, giving a course on evangelism.  "We have the privilege of sharing with the world the greatest story that has ever been told: free grace given to all, without partiality.  Do you believe this?"  The church resounded with a mixture of "hallelujah," "amen," and "praise the Lord!"  I smiled.  I knew that the next question would not produce the same reaction.  "Then, you are in agreement that a person living in a sexual relationship outside of marriage is invited without partiality to come to Christ while they are still living with their partner."

I'm sure I heard crickets chirping in the background.

One confident voice shouted over the crowd, "You can't be a Christian if you're willingly living in sin!"

I'm not sure how this life-verse became Christian rhetoric.  It's categorized among the other faithful sayings of the few that we chant so frequently, but which have no biblical basis, such as, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" and "God helps those who help themselves."

Jesus Christ did not come to condemn the world of their sin.  So, why are we so quick to do so?

You don't have to tell a person that their life is out of control or that they are miserable - believe me, they know.  I knew it.  Your knew it.  Somewhere along our journey through the Kingdom of God, we have forgotten how we began.  The world needs hope, not condemnation, yet we preach a gospel of works: "Leave your addiction, and come to Jesus."  "Get out of that relationship, and come to Jesus."  "Let go of your anger, and come to Jesus."  We as the church have forgotten Christ's open invitation:  "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  (Matthew 11:28-30).

Sadly, the majority of Christians today quote Christ as saying, "Relinquish your labor and release your heavy burden, so that I may give you rest."

It is impossible for a slave to free himself from his captivity.  He must first be released from his chains by someone who has fought for his freedom, and then he may be proclaimed free.  The Bible is absolutely clear that it is by grace alone, not by our own strength or ability, that we have come to Christ.  Why do we expect others to do what we could never accomplish?

Oh, that we may be transformed into a church that loves the unlovable, that gives grace to the ungrateful, that reaches out to the unreachable, and that drops the stones that we so easily throw!  We weigh the filthiness and stench of another's sins while we shamelessly strut in our gossip, self-righteous anger, grudges, and pride.  We overfill our mouths with food while thousands of children die of hunger, and then point our finger at the addict who spends his resources on his addiction rather than food for his children.  We confidently drink to quench our thirst, while thousands of people die of preventable diseases acquired through contaminated water.

Where do we draw the line between acceptable sins
and sins that break the heart of God?  

Is our willful ignorance that allows our fellow human being to suffer disease and death for our neglect any better than the man seized with anger and pride who beats his wife and children?  In the eyes of God, both sins are just as evil.

Lord, break our hearts for that which breaks yours.  Let us see the world through your eyes and hear the world through your ears.  Give us compassion for the lost and forgive us for the judgement that we have exacted without any right.  Forgive us for condemning others to darkness while we enjoy Your freedom.  Revive Your church with the flame of love and give us a passion to preach your impartial grace without our personal doctrines and restrictions.