‘No rocks’ - no one is perfect

The Church is the bride of Christ but she is not always that attractive. Church is the one organization that you have to admit you are a failure in order to become a member. It’s how we start our faith journey by crying out, acknowledging we are a sinner and we need a Savior. They say friendships start when you raise your hand and say, “me too.”

Each of us is a work in progress, God’s not finished with us yet, can I get an amen! If we are honest we know we are not perfect and therefore we should cut other people who are not perfect some slack. You know what they say there are only two perfect people in the world, you and me and I’m not so sure about you.

Jesus talked about cutting people slack when the “church” people brought a woman to the Rabbi who was guilty of enjoying the company of the opposite sex (John 8:1-11). Let’s not forget she was guilty of what they accused her of, so was the man she had been with.

Do you remember what Jesus said to the crowd? He said, “We can throw some rocks. In fact, let’s throw them and let’s throw them as hard as we can but let the one in the crowd that has never messed up be first.” It got real quiet that day and mob drifted.

I really do love the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). When I mess up I want you to remember the times that you have failed and I want you to give me what you wanted on those less than perfect days. In my business we call it mercy. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve, oh boy do I love mercy!

In Luke 6:36 Jesus said, “Be merciful, … as your Father is merciful.” Don’t shame me, don’t hassle me, don’t judge me just give me mercy.

What is it that makes us want to point fingers at other people? I think it’s pride. Ha, pride and short memories.

I was not very good at Algebra when I was in school. After my third try I finally passed, praise the Lord or I would be the world’s oldest high school senior. I was not always nice to my Algebra teacher and years later I was embarrassed when I ran into her at a class reunion.

Towards the end of the evening I got up some courage and I finally went up to say hello and as we discussed where life had taken me she asked me what I did as a vocation. It was hard to tell her I was a pastor and so I apologized before I answered her question. Do you know what she said? She said, “Ken, that’s great!” Do you know what I heard her say? “Me too.” We have been friends ever since. It’s amazing what forgiveness, love, humility, mercy, grace and honesty can do for us. That and no rocks.

He told me to tell you that.