100% Grace 100% Truth

I read blogs for fun. Two of the ladies that I read have enough of a following that they are the primary source of income for their families. One of them is a christian and one is not. The blog  written by a christian is constantly getting beat up by her readers (obviously she has more people who like her, but hang with me...). I don't understand it. I don't understand why these people waste their time reading her blog with the only intent of bashing her and I don't understand why other "christians" feel the need to hold her under a microscope and expect nothing short of perfection from her. She is doing great things for the kingdom of God and for the world, can we not just leave it at that?

The other blog I read, written by the lady who professes not to be a christian, doesn't get anything like it. Her comments are full of kind words, probably from people who aren't believers. There is very rarely criticism.

Since when are Christians perfect people? Isn't it by grace that we are saved?? Isn't acknowledging our sin (anything that falls short of what God commands), the reason why we believe we need a Savior? When I first became a christian, I thought I had all the answers. I thought I could argue anyone and everyone to believe in My Jesus. I was, and still am, so thankful for the life of hopelessness that He saved me from. But I had the wrong approach of sharing that thankfulness with others. I tried to beat it over their heads. (If you are one of those people, please forgive me, I'm sorry.)

I have learned more and more over time that it wasn't a done deal  when I surrendered my life to Jesus. (Yes, my eternal salvation is secured. I will spend eternity with my God whom I love immensely, and with everyone else who believes in Jesus Christ as The Way, the Truth, and the Life.Also, I also have the gift of the Holy Spirit living in me that will never be taken away. Amazing.)  However, I did not become "perfect", when I gave my will over to Jesus. Cleansed, yes. All knowing, no. I still make mistakes and do the things I wish I wouldn't do and I need God's forgiveness and favor everyday to overcome those things.

Being in physical pain has hammered this in for me. So many things feel out of my control lately. So many things that I thought I had a good handle on. So many things that I thought to myself, "I've got this." Feeling helpless and out of control has reminded me of how much I need God's grace and forgiveness everyday.

I don't even want to appear as if I have it all together anymore. I don't. Only My God does. He is the only one who ever lived a sinless life.

I know God loves me. And I love Him. And I  am realizing more and more the simplicity of, "Love God and Love Others."

So, I guess my question is this. If you are a christian, are you expecting perfection from yourself and from others? Or are you basking in God's grace and letting Him be the judge? Are you leaving uplifting comments on people's blog's (lives), or are you digging for dirt?

And if you aren't a christian, please don't let those of us who sometimes act as if we are better than you, get in the way of you knowing the Creator of the universe. He loves you. He wants to forgive you for everything you have ever done wrong, and everything you ever will do, and he wants to help you get through the days. Not just survive them and pass time, but He wants you to have joy and to live an abundant life. He also wants to spend eternity with you and that's a really long time.

Think about it.

Love,

Mindy