If you were to take a piece of chalk and write a scale from one to ten on a chalk board, with one being the least offensive and ten being the worst offensive, you would have a scale in which to measure how I say things. Now if you can picture that scale in your mind I want you to know that sometimes when I talk/write what I am saying or writing sounds like a one to me, or another number that is lower on the scale; however to some people who read what I’ve written or hear what I’ve said it may sound like a ten. I’m telling you this because what I am about to tell you may sound like a ten and that is not my intention. My hope is that when you read these words an understanding of their content will become more clear and that with that clarity you may in turn share what you have read - as a one.

For the past few months I have had the pleasure of participating in many debates, many subject discussions, various online “chats” with a variety of people from all over the globe and one thing has stood out and is abundantly clear - you don’t get it. Good people, good intentions - clueless.

So, I want you to understand something. If you derive nothing from this blog but this, know this to be true - “Sin” is Sin.

Sin IS Sin. It doesn’t change or lessen from person to person or “believer” from “non-believer”, its the SAME. In God’s eyes its all the same. There is no measure of one sin than is greater than another sin or one person that is any more guilty of it than another. We are ALL - sinners. And I find it fascinating and somewhat comical reading some of the posts of people who claim to be “believers” yet they continue to judge people based on how they talk,  how they dress, the words they say, the language they use, the method of a persons delivery or what it is that is in their life, made readily apparent to the world as - sin. They (”believers”) approach these people from a position of being “in the know”, solid in their belief, that they are in some way doing better? When the very opposite is often true.  Its a disgrace.

“Believers” that claim to be a representation of the Christ yet deny Him and what He’s done on a daily basis. Did ya get that? Did you read that right? Yes, I said it - DENY HIM. They deny the whole purpose behind God sending His Son, they deny the life that He lived and they deny the very REASON He died on the cross! By judging people the way the “world” judges people, by requiring people to “clean-up” their appearance or speech prior to your willingness to talk to them, your denying the very reason behind your salvation.

We wrestle NOT against “flesh and blood” remember? What is a persons appearance if not “flesh and blood”? What is a persons speech of what comes out of their mouth if not “flesh and blood”? What is a persons behavior or “sin” if not “flesh and blood”? What are those things if not the coverings, window dressings, fronts or “masks” that people use to cover up their heart? You should KNOW this! So, look to the heart! As God does and see them for how God sees them with - love. With compassion, with mercy, with grace, show them forgiveness and have an understanding that they are a “work”, God’s work, and step back and allow God to work in their life! In short, GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!

I had a buddy of mine stop by my office a few months ago wanting to talk. As I sat there listening to what he was saying I began to smile. He looked at me kinda funny then asked me why I was smiling. I just smiled again and said, “Because, I know.” My response surprised him and he asked me how I knew. I told him that I’ve always known. That response surprised him more. He didn’t understand why I hadn’t said anything or done anything. I just told him, because I knew that God wouldn’t leave you there! I knew that in God’s time, when you were ready, He would bring about a change in you!……NOT according to MY time! NOT when “I”, the all knowing, all hearing, GENIUS of God’s LAW (sarcasm), thought he was ready to change! God’s time. I’ve been a believer long enough to know and understand the difference. So, I allowed God to work in my friend. Being the faithful God that He is - He did. Ya see?

Your not being a “witness” to the Christ when your requiring people to “clean-up” (whatever it is) before you’ll engage with them. Your not being the representation of the Christ if after you lead them to Christ you require or expect them to change IMMEDIATELY after they first come to believe.  We are clay. CLAY, in the potters hands. But first we must believe. First, we must subject ourselves to the hands of the “potter”, THEN and ONLY then can He begin to mold us, shape us, into the person He wants us to be! Why do you deny Him that? Why do you, as a “believer”, deny the people your talking to that? Is God’s work that He has begun in you done? Are you so “polished” that you are unwilling or can’t see beyond your own self and see people for not who they currently are but what they WILL be? Shame on you!

Jesus FULFILLS the LAW! The wages of sin is death, right? JESUS FULFILLED that! He was the PERFECT lamb! That “lamb” was slain, fulfilling our need, our requirement to be - perfect. Would you deny that? Why do you require from people more than Christ? Why do you insist on seeing people other than the way God sees them? Why is YOUR door not always open? Did Jesus require you to “clean-up” prior to Him being willing to die for you on the cross? No.

Quit seeing people the way the “world” sees them. Quit treating people or their “sin” the way the “world” treats them. You’ve been shown the LIGHT! Proclaim the LIGHT! Show them love and love them where they are at. Knowing that God will not leave them there! They will “change”, they will abandon their “sin” in God’s time, according to His PERFECT time, when they are ready and only He knows when that is! Do you know what that means? It means: PUT DOWN YOUR CLIPBOARD!!!…….. and get off the bench.

Right now they are literally thousands of “believers” huddled in their prospective churches, side by side, praising and worshiping God. Great. I wonder, how many of you actually understand what your praising? They stand there and raise their voices to God only to leave and deny the work of His Son when encountering “non-believers” throughout their week. Great. Makes me vomit. So stuck on the “world’s” view of things they won’t so much as talk to a person holding a beer. And if they do, they spend the entire time “witnessing” to them about how bad it is that they got that beer. Gimme a break. That’s not Christ! Not even close! Yet they’ll judge the person drinking the beer and in the same breath wolf down the donut!

“Sin” is Sin. Its all the same. Maybe your sin isn’t like the prostitutes sin, but its sin all the same. God hates sin, but he loves YOU. Tell them THAT! Allow them to be the clay, allow the Father to work in their life! I’m not condoning their sin! God doesn’t condone sin! But He’ll hang with you when other people won’t! He’ll continue to work with you, patiently working and molding the clay as any good “potter” would. Do THAT with people! Show THAT to people! Proclaim the message of the CHRIST!! Because THAT is what He does, THAT is why He did what he did! THAT is what makes the life and death of Jesus so GREAT! He opened the door for us all and we live in a state of grace, mercy and forgiveness BECAUSE of Him! Without Him…..the “Law” is just a list of good things to do.

The greatest love story ever told is written in that book. That book called the Bible. It is a message of hope, love and redemption. Share it. Share THAT message. Don’t fall prey to the “religious” traps of this “world”. As a believer, you know the truth.

If you have had the unfortunate opportunity to  read any that I have written, if you have had the unfortunate opportunity to hear me talk, then you KNOW I don’t always talk or write - Proper. I struggle sometimes with my layout, I often times use slang or slip a cuss word out, or behave at times like a bull locked in a china cabinet with people. My “sin” is no different than your “sin”. We all struggle with a “sin” that is unique in ways to us. Get your eyes off of the “sin”, whatever it may be, look PAST the faults in people and see them for who they are as God sees them. I’m NOT perfect. I am a “work” that was started a long time ago and is still in progress. Give people a break. Give yourself a break. Let the lists go. Accept people for where they are and KNOW that God won’t leave them there. Allow them to grow. Be a person that helps them grow. That doesn’t mean you crack out the bible and start reciting scripture every time you see something in someone that God may want to work on! SHOW them the message of hope given to us by the Christ. One of love, compassion, mercy, grace and forgiveness sealed in His blood.

Get off the bench and deliver the message. Your “witness” isn’t in the confines of your brick and mortar church. It’s “out there.” Get off the bench and engage! And do it with the “potters” purpose in mind.

On this day, February 14th Valentines Day, this is my Valentine to you. That you would see and remember the life that Jesus lived and you would know and understand the message He gave through the price He paid for us on the cross. One of throwing open the doors of grace, mercy and forgiveness! It is the greatest love story ever told. Tell the story and let the “potter” do His work in people.

God Bless.