“It’s not our job to determine if the faith of others is genuine or fake.”

A thought by Larry Osborne (2015-04-01) from his book, Thriving in Babylon: Why Hope,Humility, and Wisdom Matter in a Godless Culture (Kindle Locations 544-545). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

I have just finished a book and now I am looking for a new one.  I have just bought three new books and have been getting through the beginning of all of them to see which one I will find challenging and enlightening to not only me but to you.

Now this thought stopped me.  I fight within me to be critical of the Christian world and its tendency toward fighting battles that I don’t perceive as God’s battles.  In other words I fight being judgmental of others.  But as Larry says, “It’s not our job to determine if the faith of others is genuine or fake.”  He goes on to say, “We’re not supposed to take it upon ourselves to weed out the genuine from the counterfeit. That’s God’s job. Jesus made it clear that we are to leave the weeding to him.”

Now why do we (I) do that?   Another book I have picked up is by Scott Sauls called, Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides.  He said, “The commitment to feeling 1) right and 2) wronged is a fairly common phenomenon.”  I am right and you are wrong.  This attitude of judgement is kind of an elitist attitude isn’t it?  But that is not our task is it?  That is not the love for God or for others that is the love for our self and our opinions.    

Scott goes on to say, “Christians have a compelling reason to be remarkably gracious, inviting, and endearing toward others, including and especially those who disagree with us. Are we known by what we are for instead of what we are against? Are we less concerned about defending our rights  — for Jesus laid down his rights  — and more concerned about joining Jesus in his mission of loving people, places, and things to life? When the grace of Jesus sinks in, we will be among the least offended and most loving people in the world.”

Oh by the way, the other book I picked up is about love. 

So how is the grace of Jesus doing in you?