I heard a pastor say that a lot of us are waiting for God to bring His judgment. We have certain people or groups in mind. God owes them what’s coming to them and they should get no mercy, but get the hell they deserve. Yet somehow, a lot of us think that God is obligated to show us mercy.
It could be “those homosexuals” or “those liberals” or “those pacifists” or whatever other group you’re not in. It could be those who struggle with sins that don’t affect us. Our sins are forgiveable, but theirs are not. Or so we think.
But really, who are good Christians and who are bad Christians? And do such distinctions even exist?
I say not. There are no good or bad Christians. There are only lost people who have been found, dead people who are now alive, sinners who deserved condemnation but found grace and mercy. We are all, as one of my favorite writers put it, beggers trying to tell other beggars where to find bread.
In other words, there is no one good enough to earn God’s love. No one who has anything of their own they can bring to God. There is no one that’s too bad to be saved. No one who God has shut off from any possibility of redemption or grace.
I’ve had to change my thinking a lot about “those” people. I may not struggle with the “big” sins, but my sins would have earned me just as much of death and hell as anyone who has ever lived. I needed grace and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus as much as any of “those” people.
A famous newspaper once submitted a question to many leading figures of the day. The question was “What’s wrong with the world today?” A famous writer, G.K. Chesterton had the shortest (and best, I think) reply of them all. He simply replied, “I am.”
One day God will judge the world. Some people will get what they deserve. But the only reason I won’t is because of Zephaniah 1:7. “Quiet now! Reverent silence before me, God, the Master! Time’s up. My Judgment Day is near: The Holy Day is all set, the invited guests made holy.”
In other words, those guests invited to the Kingdom of God aren’t the ones who have the most to offer God or who have the most sterling resumes. They are the ones God has made holy. Because we had no gift to bring, God sent His own Son. Because we had no sacrifice, God Himself became the sacrifice so we could get in.
So instead of choosing who God should judge, maybe we should be thankful and grateful that we’re no longer the ones who will be condemned. Maybe we should love “those” people as much as God loved us and show them as much grace as He showed us. Maybe, just maybe, we could be the the ones to show them how good and great God really is.
Ragamuffingospelfan's Blog 
Well said, my friend.
Why is it that only Christians will be saved? What about the rest of us who do not read the Bible and yet do miraculous and good things every day for society? How does the Bible automatically make Christians “better” than those of us who believe in God, but choose not to be Christians… and yet live in a Christian-congruent way without the label…?
I’ve always wondered where the logic is… good people are good people. God doesn’t know anything about earthly labels… he/she only knows that we are here to express unconditional love. That’s more than apparent throughout both the Bible AND other religious texts, especially if you’re reading between the lines.
Also, how is no one “good enough” to earn God’s love? If he/she didn’t love each of us, we wouldn’t exist. Why would God keep creatures around that he didn’t love?
Another beef I have with this article is the idea of pacifism. Isn’t one of the commandments, “THOU SHALT NOT KILL…?” Pacifism: opposition to war or violence of any kind. Sounds like no one should be worried about pacifists. They’d pretty much ignore hatred anyway.
…Thoughts?
Excellent wording on the most amazing Truth.
First of all, I am not against pacifism. In fact, the older I get, the more I am in favor of it. The point I was trying to make is that some people will target any group who is different than them for God’s judgment. “Those” people.
As far as Christians being “better”, they’re not. I know I’m not. I believe that the BIble teaches that we’re all messed-up and need help. Every other religion is about what I can do to earn my way into heaven, but Christanity is about what Jesus has already done for us and heaven is for those who accept what Jesus did.
God loves us, not because we’re good enough, but because He chooses to love us because He is good.
Those are my thoughts.
After reading both of your blogposts I staleness say i pioneer this specific one to generally be top cut. I hold a weblog also and necessity to repost a few snips of your articles on my own blog place. Should it be alright if I use this as retentive I own comment your web journal or create a incoming attach to your article I procured the dress from? If not I realise and could not do it without having your approval . I score fact noticeable this article to twitter and zynga story conscious for reference. Anyway appreciate it either way!
You can repost parts of my blogs if you want. Thanks for reading them!
Come on, inform me how you really feel.
I am trying to build a blog as part of a project, and I have been told not use blogger or any of the blog building websites, Requirement is to get access to my blog privately without using any public site that requires me to log on to them before i get to my blog. How do i do it? Or is there any website that could help? Please help. I am in a race against time. Please.