Slap, Christian Style

***edited to add, this was not someone from my church, it was a family member talking about a family I do not know***

I heard a judgement call that broke my heart. From a Christian. Every now and then I hear such hateful utterances, it breaks my heart for God. He must be so disappointed with us. Sometimes they come from my own mouth. Of course, those don't stand out near as much as the words of another-I can't hear exactly how I sound. I just know that I say and do hateful things that cast my saviour in such a negative light to those that don't know him. We all do. I hate that some people judge my Heavenly Father by what I say and do. I am so flawed, selfish, and often-unloving. That is not at all the perfect Son of God.

So back to the comment. This comment was said about a young girl and her boyfriend who had gotten into "trouble". They had a baby together. There were many judgements made against this couple- I just so happen to agree with alot of them. I don't believe young dating couples should spend large hunks of time alone together because it is like waving a lighter at sticks of dynamite. However, most people think this is acceptable and normal. Sooner or later, the inevitible will happen. Then, many times, a child will result. In this case, the tragedy is that all involved are children. The momma, the daddy, and of course, the baby are all children. Children will make mistakes. They will have errors in judgement that sometimes change their young lives forever.

This is where Christians are so quick to condemn. Baby showers should be withheld, lest this sort of behavior be encouraged. This breaks my heart. These children are in such a state of broken spirits and lives that they are vulnerable. A lifetime of kindness won't take away the hurt that the "judgements" of Christians will inflict. They do this in the name of God?? Blaspheme. Jesus accepted people where they were and helped them put the pieces back together again.

It took all I had to not go off on this person in a tirade. Two wrongs don't make a right. Instead I plead that the baby is innocent and it never hurts anything to shower a new baby with love and presents. This statement was agreed with, but the whole "shower nonsense" was again ridiculed. I am praying for this person. Casting such harsh judgement will not end well. Sooner or later, this will be visited to the doors of those who judge in a much more personal way. Funny how sin becomes less black and white when it is your child or grandchild.

As hard as it is sometimes, we are not called to judge the lives of non-believers. We are called to love others more than ourselves. We are called to live a life worthy of the crown. We are called to repent of our sins and surrender our will every day to the will of God. We are called to be iron sharpening iron-very gently and lovingly rebuking the sins of fellow believers IN LOVE. As far as non-believers and the lost? NO JUDGEMENT. Just love- that they might be willing to hear the good news of Christ. To make the decision to not celebrate the birth of a child- a child not aborted- because we don't agree with the circumstances? WWJD?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

James 4:11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.