I am not perfect. Still on this journey of sanctification with Jesus.
But I have never felt more free.
I found this book laying around one day at my mom's house and asked if I could borrow it. I loved it so much (or rather was convicted so much) that I thought it would be an interesting book/Bible study for this past summer. Several of my closest friends took me up on the offer and I really enjoyed hearing what they had to say each week.
It was so convicting to me because I have always been very judgmental, ready to point out faults in other people that were "worse" than mine so I could be assured of being more "righteous." What a lie! Ugh.
John Fischer, the author, pointed out that a Pharisee makes up standards, rules or... well... unofficial laws that are very hard to keep... for most people, but possible for themselves and a small number of others. In fact, most people don't even realize these laws exist and have no idea they are being judged and even if they did, they probably wouldn't care about keeping up your standard.
I was good at enough things and could keep up my own certain standards that others maybe didn't (like how I disciplined my kids, how I cleaned my house, my language or standard of certain movies). The only problem was that these were my standards and not necessarily God's and I was living them in arrogance and self-rightousness... That is where the Pharisees of the Bible were guilty as well. It is a very sobering thought that I would have fit right in with them had I been alive then... except I am a women and wouldn't be in the position they were... but still to know that with that attitude I may have missed...
Him and His Grace
That's where the second part of the book title comes in: Finding the Grace to Live Unmasked.
Grace is what I've had since I accepted Christ, but I failed to fully get what it really meant. I was perfectly willing to take it... not so willing to give it to others.
I've had Matthew 18: 23-35 on my mind a lot.
"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with this servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
I've been guilty of this. But after going over several passages like the previous one, Luke 6:37-42 (getting the plank out of your eye before judging others), and Luke 18: 9-14 (the tax collector and the Pharisee), I am beginning to see my own heart issues more clearly.
A big point of the book and THE BOOK :) is to stop trying to work toward salvation and to rest in and be thankful for the grace that has been given to me. When I truly grasp it, there is no way I can judge other people. I was the same as any of them before Christ saved me. And even with other believers, I can forgive and be patient because I have been in situations as a believer where I'm sure people were patient with me and I didn't think I needed it or was oblivious to my own sin... Every believer is on the path toward sanctification. We are all at different points in our walk. I have much learning to do but I have really enjoyed coming closer to understanding this truth.
It's SO FREEING to not feel like I have to judge other people. Even with my own husband. When I feel like I'm right and he's wrong. I don't have to bring it up. I don't have to act snotty or like a know-it-all. I can choose to give grace, be patient and pray (with a pure heart) that God would either change me if I am wrong, or change him and wait for the answer... fully confident that he cares, hears, and does work in hearts when we humble ourselves before Him.
I'm so thankful God has given me:
Grace
Forgiveness
Hope
Patience
Joy
Love
So Much Else...
The least I can do is follow His example... and experience such peace when I do!
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