Showing others grace...

Are we as good at showing grace as God would have us? Probably not. However, it's time we start putting off the old and putting on the new. (Romans 6:6, Ephesians 2:15) We can no longer be the people who make others run from the church screaming. In times of desperation "the lost" should be able to run into the arms of the body of Christ and find peace, not judgment. In times of joy they should be able to run to the body and find rejoicing, not dissecting to see if indeed this is from God.

Read John 9

One major thing that strikes me about this is the Pharisees discussing if Jesus sinned because he healed a man on the Sabbath. Is it not funny that God was present before them and they could not see it because they were too caught up in rules,regulations, and traditions?

Ask God if you failed to see Him because of these reasons. I know I have.

Notice too the man's parents were called to the temple, but they failed to answer boldly because they knew of the backlash that would come if they did. I see a striking parallel with this church and the church of today.

The Pharisees called the man to them again, and when he spoke the truth (John 9:25-33) they cast him out. How many have we turned away?

We have to have a heart for the world. We cannot expect a Godless world to abide by Biblical standards.(Luke 23:34)