Redemption

Many times when I come before God I spend my time clearing my conscience, asking for favors, or thanking him for the blessings he has already given me. Tonight however I decided to listen. I have heard many sermons telling me to listen, and usually right after I hear them I go home and try it out. Sometimes God speaks to me, sometimes I get distracted and give up. Tonight, however, God spoke to me. He didn't reveal my future, nor did He pull the wool from my eyes on any great theological issue. In fact, the thing He taught me was something that I have known about for a long time; I have just never taken the time to notice how incredible and challenging it is. God taught me what redemption through Christ means and looks like.

If someone confronted me and asked me what Jesus came to earth for, I would most likely give the standard answer-- that he came to earth to sacrifice himself, freeing us from our sins so that we can live eternally with him. In this redemptive plan, I would call 'us' humanity as a whole. If this person questioned me further and asked if this included terrorists, murderers, rapists, prostitutes, and others who lived lives fully submersed in sin, I would say yes. But do I really believe that?

I cannot even count the number of times that I have been walking and seen someone whose outward appearance suggests they have a rough life, and I immediately judge them. In reality, however, they can experience God's grace just as I have, and in many cases even more ways than I have. I think of when Jesus met the woman at the well. He forgave her and accepted her. Not only was this woman's life changed, but she went on to tell her entire village about the forgiveness she had received.

Anyone can enter into the Kingdom of God, they just need to want to. As Christians, we need to realize this. There are times in my life when I have had a friend that in the back of my mind I thought that there was no hope that they would ever find Jesus. I need to completely rethink the way I think of the lost. The gospel provides people with hope and fulfillment. We are meant to be in relationship with God. Those that don't have one are looking for one. Why do we act ashamed of the fact that we have that relationship, when in reality it is the greatest thing that anyone could ever have? Because of this, we can go into the world and confidently proclaim the word of God and the salvation He provides. I love when Matthew says we should be lights on a hill for the whole world to see. This doesn't leave out anyone.

It is not our job to change people's lives. It is our job to show love and grace to those we meet. God will change their hearts. While I might not be able to understand the amount of shame and guilt a rapist might feel, I can show them love and forgiveness while God meets them where they are. Only when we get past our preconceived ideas of people will we be able to be able to show them the fullness of God's mercies. We need to get to the point where there are no longer terrorists, murderers, rapists, and prostitutes, but rather lost children of God.
Let's work on that.