How Can You Know Me – Not by my Condemnation

Greetings Dear Reader,

Too often I see those who are supposed to represent Christ condemning those with whom they find fault or disagree.  It is so easy to see the faults of others and be blind to my own.  It is too easy to condemn when we should be remembering how Christ felt about those who need h im.

When questioned about keeping questionable company Jesus responded that it is the sick that need a physician.  He insisted that our place was caring tor the needs of others.  He measures us by the sick, hungry, and needy. 

It does not matter what the issue is.  You can fill in your pet cause Dear Reader.  When we land on the side of condemnation and judgment we become ineffective.  We tread on the Gospel we are supposed to live.  We hurt the name of Jesus and his message.

I am not saying that those who do these things do not have faith.  I am saying that they are not showing the face of Christ as he wishes it shown.  The only people we see Jesus rail against are the religious leaders who burdened the people instead of caring for them.

I am not to be known by my condemnation and judgment.  I am not to forget that I come to Christ with the same needs as everyone.  No matter how closely I follow I will not ever follow closely enough to justify condemning anyone else. 

Jesus Friend of Sinners – Casting Crowns

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away

We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing

Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see

The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded

A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah...

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand

Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands

Help us to remember we are all the least of these

Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees

No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the wounded

What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast

For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came

Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast

But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast

Yeah...

You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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