We said, “Thank God I am not like that sinner.”
But God said, “That sinner is closer to Me right now than you.”
We said, “Society needs law and order.”
But God said, “Society needs love and grace.”
We said, “My beliefs are the right beliefs.”
But God said, “That Samaritan with his unorthodox beliefs, that pagan Roman, that woman with the questionable lifestyle is nearer to the kingdom of God than you.”
We said, “Sin deserves shame and punishment.”
But God said, “If you are without sin, feel free to throw the first stone.”
We said, “Worship Jesus alone.”
But God said, “Follow Jesus’ teachings.”
We said, “Keep the unclean and the unimportant away.”
But God said, “Let them come to Me.”
We said, “We’ll show you our love by all the good, acceptable things we do.”
But God said, “Great love was shown Me by the woman of ill repute who poured her expensive perfume on My feet.”
We said, “We need to defend our rights.”
But God said, “You need to wash feet.”
We said, “We will be known as Christ followers by standing up for the truth.”
But God said, “You will be known as Christ followers by loving one another.”
We said, “The unworthy cannot enter God’s presence.”
But God said, “I’ll eat at the table with even My betrayer.”
We said, “We’re all in, God, and we’ll never desert you.”
But God said, “You can’t even stay awake with Me.”
We said, “We’ll fight for you and defend your name.”
But God said, “Put away your sword.”
We said, “Let’s set up your kingdom here and now.”
But God said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
We said, “We must sacrifice our time and talent and treasure in order to please God.”
But God said, “I’ll be the sacrifice.”
We said, “Be like us, for our religion is the best.”
But God, hanging on the cross, said, “No, be like Me.”
We said, “Show your glory, God, by conquering Rome.”
But God said, “I’m showing My glory on the cross.”
We said, “Condemn and judge the sinner.”
But God said, “In your wrong judgments, you thought I was the sinner.”
We said, “This man will never get into heaven.”
But God said, “Today he will be with Me in paradise.”
We said, “Where are you, God?”
But God said, “I’m right here with you, in your suffering, never hiding My face from you.” (see Psalm 22:24)
We said, “Build the walls to divide the ins from the outs.”
But God said, “Pull down the curtain of separation.”
We said, “So, violence has gotten the final word.”
But God said, “Wrong again. Love is more powerful than violence, though it may not always look so. See? I am alive!”
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