Hooray for me...

Yesterday, I was on the Etcetera podcast. It is a great show where just real Christians can hang out and talk. I found it by going to www.stevebrownetc.com. The Saturday night show is two hours long with Steve interviewing guests. If you haven't heard it (or the Wednesday show) you are really missing out on something fun.

Oh yeah, earlier this week I was on the air with Hank Hennegraf of the Bible Answer Man. I guess I am becoming a celebrity. You will be seeing me in People in a couple of weeks. GAG!!!

I was talking to a friend last night about how we as Christians have our own pet sins that we like to focus on in others. I think the reason for this is that it keeps us from focusing on our own sin because somehow we think that their sin is more sinful.

The example that I gave to my friend last night was the sin of homosexuality. As Christians, people that struggle with this have become the modern day lepers. They are the untouchable, unclean people that should be outcast from our holy inner circle. We are experts at talking about how unhealthy, sick, sinful, depraved and wretched their lives are, and that one day they are really going to get it. This is not preaching to people that feel this way. I have a confession to make. I used to be one of these people until Jesus showed me something different. Until about 6 months ago, when I would hear that a homosexual got AIDS, I would inwardly think, "well that is what they deserve for living that lifestyle." Then God showed up and told me, "what makes you think that you are so good?" He reminded me that without Him, I would get what I deserve. He challenged me to break out of my sheltered weekly comfort zone and actually do what Jesus did. I was reminded of the story of Jesus at the well with the Samaritain woman. Now to Jews, the Samaritains were the low lifes of the day. The Jewish leaders huddled up with themselves and people that were like themselves and talk about how horrible the Samaritains were. Much like the church today. We sit in our services and talk about how depraved the world is and that one day God is going to show up and wipe them all out. We say it sometimes to the extent that we are happy that he is going to do it.

Well, there is another part of that story with the Jesus and the woman at the well. He asked her for a drink of water. When Jesus told her to go get her husband, she replied that she didn't have one. Jesus said, "you are right when you say that you have no husband. You have had five husbands, and the man you live with now is not your husband." She instantly knew that He was of God. He then told her of the day that has come when people won't be separated by where they worship, but will worship in sprit and in truth."

Now the miracle of that story is that Jesus did not stay with his own people to tell them about the love of God. He reached out to the outcasts and told them the truth. He didn't condemn this woman, but gave her the truth about Himself.

I wonder if this were to happen today, if instead of well water and a Samaritain, would it be Jesus walking into a gay bar and asking for a beer.

This brings me back to my original point (if there is one). When we stop focusing on our goodness and the badness of others and start focusing on who Jesus is, we begin to be more like Him. It is not about our goodness or badness, but the goodness of Jesus. He lived the perfect life and paid the price so that we don't have to try to be good. Walk with Jesus. Talk with Him. Let Him speak to you and the goodness will follow, not because of us, but because of Him.

Till next time...
J