Godless Judgment: (By: Max Lucado- In the Grip of Grace) Part 1

Romans 2:1 You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

If we take a look at Jeffrey Dahmer and ask ourselves what disturbs us most about him? The list would go on about his seventeen murders. Eleven corpses were found in his apartment. He cut off arms and ate body parts. He redefined the boundary for brutality. No sign of remorse. No hint of regret. For some the most disturbing fact would be his conversion. Months before an inmate murdered him, (we have been told) that Jeffrey Dahmer became a Christian. Said he repented. Was sorry for what he did. Profoundly sorry. Said he put his faith in Christ Was baptized. Started his life over. Began reading Christian books and attending chapel. Sins washed. Soul cleansed. Past forgiven.

Maybe you have the same reservations. If not about Jeffrey Dahmer perhaps about someone else. Ever wrestled with the deathbed conversion of a rapist or the eleventh hour conversion of a child molester? We've sentenced them, maybe not in a court, but in our hearts. They are forever imprisoned by our disgust. And then, the impossible happened, they repent. Our response? We cross our arms and furrow our brows and say, "God won't let you off that easy". Not after what you did. God is kind but he is no wimp. Grace is for average sinners like me, not deviants like you."

And for proof we might turn to Romans 1. "God's anger is being shown against..." And then Paul lists it all...sexual sin, evil, selfishness, hatred, jealousy, murder. We want to shout go get 'em, Paul. It is about time someone spoke out against sin. We'll stand by you Paul! We decent, law abiding folk are with you.

Paul's response? "If you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point fingers at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Romans 2:1

We aren't good enough to judge. Can the hungry accuse the beggar? Can the sick mock the ill? Can the blind judge the deaf? Can the sinner condemn the sinner? No. Only One can judge and that One is neither writing nor reading this book.

My prayer is that we understand that only by His Grace we are saved...not by our works but by His amazing Grace and Love. For we all fall short. We all need a Savior! Blessings to all my brothers and sister's in Christ. May His light shine through you!

Max and Tammy