Grace Defined

In the red corner- the Pharisees. In the blue corner- Jesus. Once again, the high-minded Pharisees do all that they can to land a right hook to the face of our Lord. And, once again wisdom and righteousness prevails.

Being caught in the act of adultery a woman was pulled from the sheets and placed in utter humiliation before Jesus. What a perfect time to preach to her, telling her that her eternal life hangs in the balance…pending her decision. And as Christ does numerous times in the Bible, Christ responds in a very Christ-like manner.

Instead of berating the woman Christ replies, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Grips loosened leaving the only sound in the Temple being that of stones hitting the floor. One day, perhaps we will meet this former adulteress in Heaven because Jesus took the occasion to love her instead of condemning her.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus never avoided the hard conversations. Prostitutes, adulterers, murderers, thieves and yes, perhaps the worst of them, Pharisees…they were all willingly engaged by Jesus. His life shows us that he spent very little time with the “church goers.” Instead, he spent his time in the trenches…getting down and dirty with the sinners.

We found ourselves in the trenches this past Sunday morning. A practicing gay escort came to my church. The audacity. He hasn’t even pretended to renounce his current lifestyle.

And like Jesus himself, Christ’s body worshipping at New Life Church had a decision to make. How would we treat him? Just as Jesus did, we stared an adulterer right in the eyes.

What mucked up the water is that this prostitute was the same man who had a homosexual relationship with our longtime Pastor. His testimony lead to the firing of Ted Haggard, and the beginning of a long and sometimes dark road we now travel.

Mike Jones came to New Life Church Sunday because he had been invited. Many of those in our church invited him down, not to throw stones, but to tell him “thank you.” You heard me right. “Thank you.”

Pastor Rob Brendle saw Mike in the foyer and approached him. His hands were free of stones and full of grace. Rob said, "Mike, I believe God used you to correct us, and I appreciate that. One of the wonderful and enduring truths of Christianity is to love the people that the world sets up to be your enemies."

Grace defined.

Rob’s boss, spiritual mentor and best friend was fired because of this man who stood before him. I love how Rob puts it. We as Christians are set up to be the enemy of the Mike Joneses of the world. What part of the conversation in the Temple sounded as if Christ was the enemy of the half-dressed adulteress? None.

Throngs of people gathered around Mike and expressed similar sentiments. “Thank you.” “God bless you.” “We are a stronger church because of your honesty.”

Does this excuse Mike’s past and current behaviors? No. But does this seem to mimic the attitude of our Lord. I believe so. I’m not so sure that we have heard the last of this man, Mike Jones. I continue to pray that he, like his predecessor in adultery, meets Christ.

I am proud of the body of Christ. It once again teaches me that grace is the battering ram to destroy the walls of legalism. Grace, you are amazing and welcome in my house anytime.