Too often, we forget what sharing Jesus actually means. We get so wrapped up in what someone’s sin might be, that we forget what the purpose is. It is not our responsibility to point out someone’s indiscretions or sin, when we are trying to introduce them to Jesus. If you try to shove Jesus down someone’s throat by pointing out what they are doing wrong, all you end up doing is turning them away from the father instead of to the father. It is our job to introduce them to who Jesus is, and what God has done for us, and for them, and hopefully help them open the door, which will lead to them having their own personal relationship with the father. When this happens, the Holy Spirit will convict them of any wrongdoing or sins, which need to be brought to light. But until the relationship is established, or at least started, coming at someone and acting holier than thou does no one any good. Not a single one of us is perfect and we never will be as long as we walk this earth. Those of us who did not grow up in the church, our entire lives, or have rebelled against God at some point in our life for whatever reason understand a great deal of what it is like for people to point out your wrongdoing as if their sin is somehow different or not as bad as yours. But the fact is that all sin is bad, and none is any less or worse than the next. If we spent even a fraction of the time that we spend condemning people, on actually trying to introduce them to Jesus, and then let the Holy Spirit do what it does, we would get so much further with people.
Now, with all that being said. Meaning that we should love everyone no matter who they are, or what they have done, does not mean that we must accept that wrongdoing as OK. Too often I see people trying to justify poor choices or a sinful lifestyle by the words God loves everyone. The statement is not false, God does love everyone. As humans, we don’t love our children less because they do things that are wrong, we seek to teach them the right ways to do things. The right ways to behave. We seek to teach them how to live in the world. But often we are teaching our children how to live in the world instead of how to have a relationship with Christ. Jesus loves me. Does not mean that I can do whatever I want however I want and still go to heaven. It means that no matter how many times I screw up or how many times I fall short, he will always be there to pick me up again. It means that if I am actively seeking his honest word, and seeking to live in his will, then no matter how many times I screw up, I will be forgiven. It is not a license to knowingly, purposely live in sin with the idea that oh I’ll be forgiven so it’s OK. Because it’s not. We don’t know when our time is up, so all of us, every single person in the world who chooses to live that way runs the risk of condemning themselves. Not to mention operating that way means that you’re not repentant. And repenting is the point.
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