John 8:32

There is not one place recorded in the Bible where Jesus told anyone what rotten sinners they were. (It is true that he had to bear down on some religious folks for the way they abused scriptures, and other people.) Most sinners seem to know well who they are. Jesus wants us to know who we can be.

Our Lord said that his purpose for coming into this world was not to condemn anyone; He came to save us all from our sin. If Jesus is not in the business of condemnation, then neither should anyone of us be. In the kingdom, no one points a judgmental finger; You can’t when both hands are lifted to the Lord in praise, and then, reaching out in Christian service to others.

Christians seem to use a lot of labels these days. We are one denomination or the other, conservative or liberal, right or wrong, and a pile of other tags. We get name tags when we attend some meetings; and we are asked to leave them at the door as we exit. I think that we will have to leave our labels at the grave. The Heavenly community will all wear the same badge: “I’m Redeemed.”

Each of us will give an account of our life to God. Not one of us will escape that appointment. For that reason, we will do well to listen to the words of Joshua, “Choose today whom you will serve, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” And then the words of Philippians 2:12, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

The truth sets us free to serve God. It is never freedom to live our way, or to sin. This I know for sure: The longer I live, the more beautiful the word “grace” is to me.

“I’m redeemed by Love Divine
Oh glory glory, Christ is mine
All to Him I now resign
I have been redeemed.”