Often, I think, Christians believe that lives are saved and changed by our judging and shunning. This is sad to me. Who would come to Christ if this was the case? Who would ever be healed or changed? Truth be told, many turn away from Christ because they don't recognize His love in us.

What would be the difference between a love that willingly caused Him to give up His own life for mankind; caused Him to hang out with folks nobody else would and write things in the sand nobody wanted to read? He put His Life where His mouth was. He didn't just draw a line, He walked it. He didn't just preach death to self, he fulfilled it.

Condemnation was not His message, breakthrough was; breaking through the guilt and condemnation barriers. Many want to change but feel powerless against the demons they face. "Forgiveness, right-standing with Christ. A righteousness we don't deserve." It's all very hard to understand but God took it all on His own shoulders first.

God is not in the hanging business. We are asked to willingly take up our own crosses and follow Him daily. Follow Him. Ours is a mobile cross. He does not ask us to "plug it in" and hang there for all to see. It is a thorn in our flesh though, a reminder of what He did for us and that we are to carry that Love forward. We should not be in the hanging business either.