Is there grace for wrong beliefs?
I asked that question last week with a purpose in mind. I was working on a sermon where a Roman officer came to Jesus. This officer misunderstands what Jesus would like, but he understands that Jesus is the one to go to. Despite the officer's flawed thoughts, Jesus worked. This was contrasted in the section of Scripture with the religious people of the day missing out on Jesus. They had religion down, but missed Jesus. Do we have all our "right beliefs" and miss out on Jesus? The opportunity is there for all of us who are willing to come to Jesus and let him improve our lives. We need to just come to him. Jesus doesn't expect perfect behavior or perfect beliefs. If he did, we would all be screwed. Instead, he desires relationship. He wants us to know him and his father who sent him.
The purpose of the question has both a political and spiritual ramification. I would love for people to be a little more loving toward those they disagree with. The way to bring someone to right belief is through love, not dogmatic statements. Not from being demeaning and the loudest. Not from being the best debater. Love. This is true in the political world and the spiritual world. Telling someone they are a libtard, a snowflake, a heretic, a nazi, deplorable, or any other demeaning label because they have a different belief is the path of self-righteousness.
Our world is overdosing on self-righteousness. It may make the person labeling someone feel lofty, but it is only a temporary high and actually destroys. We are called to teach the truth in gentleness and love. In that framework, there is grace. Without grace, there is no gentleness and love.
As our society has moved away from God, it seems that we are also moving away from speaking with love to those we disagree with. Although we Christians have failed at that way too often in the past and continue to fail at it, there is a clear correction in the teachings of Jesus. We are challenged to be loving to our enemies. We need to grasp hold of that and walk that less traveled path with that principle at the forefront. With Jesus at the forefront. Come to Jesus. It means more than just theology and doctrine; it means a life of love. Loving God and loving our neighbor. A life of joining in on Jesus' work of restoring this world to what God intended it to be. A beautiful calling.
It's the Christmas season. Spread Jesus and his love, not more hate. If God causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous, we can at least be loving to those we disagree with.
