Out of My Misery...

So today is Thursday and that means one thing...I was at the church by 545am for our Men's Breakfast and Bible Study.  Now truly this is one of the consistent highlights of my week, having the opportunity to gather with other early risers for some amazing food and fellowship.  Specifically waffles...non-specifically, grace. 

We are oh-so slowly progressing through David Platt's Radical, an amazing read, and we've spent the past few weeks discussing our perception of the purpose of the church, among other things.  Today we dove head-first into John 15 and specifically addressed the idea of "fruit-bearing believers" who "remain" in Christ.  In John 15:5 Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."  This idea really seemed to hit us and it led us into a meaningful discussion spanning a variety of topics including judgment, seasons of life, and what it means to live as encouragers of one another.  We talked about the specific roles which we hold in the body of Christ, as those intended to "walk alongside" one another rather than non-empathetic, detached individuals unable to connect due to a lack of vulnerability, and a lack of realness, with one another.  As we walked away from the table today, we each carried a new perspective on our individual purpose not only in the church but also in our communities as we relate to both Christians and future Christ Followers around us.

I continued to ponder this idea through the morning when to my astonishment at discovering something useful on Facebook (beyond, "@Walmart, can you believe what this person is wearing??) I ran across an article posted that was entitled, "Going to Hell with Ted Haggard" from Christianity Today Magazine.  The article was thought-provoking; what was even more interesting to me were the editorial opinions that followed the article.  These readers' opinions truly represented the entire spectrum of thought on this situation, ranging from fiercely judgmental to a relaxed graciousness bordering on a "Live and Let Live" perspective.  I found myself somewhere in-between but unfortunately leaning much more towards the judgment/justice side.  I found the topic intriguing (if you're unsure of what I'm talking about, Google "Ted Haggard" and you'll very quickly understand)  and as a result I had to reexamine my position on grace.  Do I truly believe that God is a God who forgives?  Is there a place where forgiveness ends and God says, "Nope.  That's too big a sin."?  As a human being walking this earth, what is my role on determining the extent of God's grace as He deems to distribute it to other people?  A better question might be, do I have a role at all? 


"And when they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and in Your compassion You delivered them time after time." (Nehemiah 9:28b)

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." (Ephesians 1:7-8)

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation-" (Colossians 1:21-22)


I think too often when someone around me gets caught in the trap of sin, my first inclination is to try to "finish them off"...to put them "out of their misery" so to speak.  Obviously they've blown it so let's remove them from further public scrutiny by getting rid of them.  The reality is that what I'm attempting to do, when I withhold grace and forgiveness like I've experienced through the compassion and sacrifice of Christ, is to really put them "out of my misery".  The truth is, I don't like being reminded of how close to failure I constantly sit.  I hate the realization, that slap in the face, that my own frailty reminds me of day in and day out.  It's as if I implicitly say, "Grace is good for God to hand out but not for me."  This sad truth is a testament to my lack of understanding of grace and the way that I too often short-change God for the "bigness" of His forgiveness, His love, and His ability to transform and redeem the brokenhearted spirit.

This week, I want you to ask yourself the questions I asked above:  Do I truly believe that God is a God who forgives? Is there a place where forgiveness ends and God says, "Nope. That's too big a sin."? As a human being walking this earth, what is my role on determining the extent of God's grace as He deems to distribute it to other people or do I even have a role at all?  These questions are still raging in my head.  And as you ask the questions be open to what the Lord tells you about yourself.  Mostly, understand that even in our mistaken understanding of grace there is still grace.  Allow yourself the chance to change, and allow God to continue the work in you; watch as He peels back the blindfolds of your heart and reveals all for which He has forgiven you.  As He does, embrace the grace...and grab hold of all that will truly take you "out of your misery".