Have You So Quickly Forgotten?

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

1 Corinthians 6:11

Don't dwell on your past, but don't forget it either lest you find yourself with the mind of a pharisee... thanking God you're "not like them".

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 18:10-14

Now I'm not of the "you're okay, I'm okay, we're all going to Heaven no matter what, rainbows and butterflies" movement, so please don't misunderstand me.  But I'm also not for bashing someone who has obviously fallen as humans do.  Yes, you should stand for what is right and not condone sinful acts.  But that does not mean you should shun the one who has fallen.  Is cutting them out of your life the answer?  Of course not, now is the time they need you the most.  Isn't that what we are called to?  To be a light to them?  A help?  A shining portrayal of the love of Jesus?  Isn't what they need most your prayers and love?  Not gossip sessions that are weakly labeled as "prayer requests".  I don't mean to be harsh, but please... be the Christian that God so desires and knows you can be.  That person is in your life for a reason.  And their sin is no greater than yours.  Your unrepentant lie will keep you out of Heaven just the same as their unrepentant murder.  Both actions need repentance.

In conclusion, Murderer, don't hate the person telling you what you did was wrong and that there is a God who can wash it away.  They love you, otherwise they wouldn't take the time or have the desire to help you.  And Liar, don't so quickly forget your own past that you start handing out sentences... (as in John 8:1-11) if but for the Grace of God you could very possibly be in a worse situation than the person you turn your nose up at in disgust.  Be a light not a snuffer.  I guarantee your current actions will not bring them any closer to God.  And bringing them closer to God is the whole goal, is it not?