“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii (about two years wages), and the other fifty (about two months wages). Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
-Luke 7:41-42
I recently read a social media post about a convicted murderer on death row who literally ate his own eye in an apparent effort to be declared mental and avoid the death sentence. Then I read some comments:
“I went to church with the victim’s family… I knew them and those poor babies. He is not insane, he’s a piece of crap that needs to die and should have a long time ago…”
“…just get it over with… he is a killer who doesn’t need to be in this world and we don’t need to keep spending tax money on this demon”
“Anyone with a death sentence or life without parole should be equipped in a cell with a rope, noose, and stool. Let them do it themselves”
“We’ve put dogs down for much less. There’s no medication that can fix that kind of crazy”
As I read through comments like these, it struck me... “How many of these folks are professing Christians?”
Not a single mention of prayer for God’s intervention, nothing but venomous hate. There’s no judgment from me IF those folks who commented aren’t Christians, but if they are…
So God’s in control except in cases like this? Except when it REALLY matters? Except when it’s MY family or MY friends or when TRUE justice needs to be meted out? Then I don’t really want Jesus to demonstrate absolute grace! Not to THIS monster!
“Put him down like a dog!”
“Save the taxpayers $$$ and fry that…!”
What we Christians are saying when we spew this stuff is that morals and ethics trump authentic and transformative faith in Christ. We’ll play the part of the “good” Christian on Sunday mornings, but when it REALLY matters we say “Fry that...! Let him burn! Let me throw the switch! Put him down like a dog!”
I’ve probably hit a nerve, yes I know. Some reading this will say I’m a bleeding heart liberal. Some will say I’m playing arm-chair quarterback, that it’s easy until it’s my wife and kids. Speculation is always easy. Who I am is a Bible-believing, Christ-worshipping disciple of Jesus who takes my Savior and His words literally and very seriously.
I’m certainly not advocating we play the part of pacifists, but when looking at the restraint Jesus demonstrated in allowing Himself to be arrested and crucified; He ALLOWED it because He trusted the Father completely. Do we demonstrate that kind of faith in God to a lost and dying world? Do we have a legit witness? Does anyone believe us?
The facts and evidence say "NO!" precisely for that reason. The facts and evidence show churches closing in America at an alarming rate. The statistics show a sharp decrease in Christianity over the past several decades along with a sharp increase in non-religious households. Why? Because when the stuff hits the fan... there’s no distinction.
Our behaviors reveal what we REALLY believe, and it’s not REALLY in the grace of Christ. It’s not in the truth of the Gospel. It’s not in the transformative power of the Cross.
“Put him down like a dog!”
“Fry that demon!”
Turns out, we’re more like Jonah than the Bride of blessing Jesus died for. We don’t really want the Ninevites in our lives to be forgiven. We, like Jonah, want to run in the other direction and let the burning sulfur rain down while we salivate, smile and wring our hands with satisfaction. We don’t REALLY want God to show them the same grace He showed us because, honestly, we DESERVED it! We’ve been “good.” We followed the rules. We didn’t kill anyone. We’re better than “those people.”
We become our own transient and subjective standard of righteousness. Anyone exceeding us is an extremist or “holy roller.” Anyone below our personal standard deserves God’s vengeful wrath - not the same patience and grace He showed us. “Put him down like a dog!”
Then we read the sermon on the mount (Matt 5:21-22) and find the hatred we’re harboring, oozing, slinging, and propagating reveals the vile sin in the depths of our hearts, which simultaneously convicts us of the VERY THING we despise - murder! Jesus said there’s no distinction. He said there’s literally no difference. So we cut and paste.
1 John 3:15 states it similarly, “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” Sure, some will rent that passage from its context and say it only applies to fellow Christians. Have you read Romans 5:8 lately?
What category did we fall into before His grace? A guilty sinner condemned?
Who did Jesus come to save and demonstrate grace to? Was it the morally and ethically upright or the despicable sinner and child of wrath?
What legacy did Jesus leave behind? One of ethics, legalism, and subjective morality, or disciples transformed by grace!
What did He give to ensure advance of His mission to bless everyone to the ends of the earth? Was it a list of rules and regulations or The Holy Spirit?
Like Thomas Jefferson, we conveniently excise the inconvenient parts of Scripture. We omit or delete them. We’re thankful we received grace, but then we begin living as though we merited Christ’s favor through our obedience, our behaviors, our adherence, and our works. We don't really believe Ephesians 2:8-9.
Instead of the Suffering Servant and sovereign Christ of Scripture, we develop a Jesus du jour. Instead of submitting to the authority of Scripture and apostolic teaching, we develop a customized theology of private faith fitting our fickle worldview rather than TRULY submitting ourselves to Him, His word, His authority, His will, and His mission. That was the exact problem Jesus had with the religious leaders of His day. They were the ones who plotted and jeered, "Crucify Him!"
Conveniently, we want to make it about a guy who killed a family and ate his eye. It’s not. It’s about you and me and whether we REALLY believe Jesus will right all the wrongs, dry all the tears, mend all our brokenness, and eradicate all sin. Right now He allows stuff like this so we can, as Paul wrote, “Examine yourselves to see whether or not you’re in the faith...” (2 Cor 13:5). How do we fare? How do we respond? Is it with grace and truth or with morality and hatred?
What if what Jesus said in Matt 7:2 were true? “For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Where would that leave us? Where would it leave the haters? Are we saved by grace or by contemporary ethics and popular morality? Are we gunning for smiley faces and thumbs up on Facebook, or are we seeking the unpopular approval of our King? Are we equally appalled at the millions of babies aborted annually or do we compartmentalize and justify THAT kind of murder since popular culture and some folks in fancy robes deemed it “legal?” How’s that for convenient? Are we visiting folks like this in prison and sharing grace as salt and light as Jesus commanded and modeled, or do we simply condemn from a comfortable spot behind a screen?
Are we living as though we’re redeemed and justified EXCLUSIVELY by Christ’s perfect atoning sacrifice at Calvary or not? Does this monster deserve forgiveness and grace - not even one iota, but then again... neither did I. That’s why the Cross is a mystery and foolishness to the world. That’s why God’s grace is so AMAZING.
Read Luke 7:36-50. Which debtor are you? Have you been forgiven much? Do your actions demonstrate THAT reality with words and behaviors of eternal thankfulness, or do they reveal personal merit and entitlement? What do Lost people hear in your words and see in your actions? Do they see a polite form of religion conveniently flushed when push comes to shove?
Are we truly living like the measure we use will be measured to us? What if what Jesus said is true? Where would that leave you?
Blessings and grace,
-Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
