"undoing the Damage Done in the name of Religion"

the main theme of our Scripture readings speaks on Forgiveness, with other Scriptures providing us with insight on – Compassion, and Judging Others… I think that we sometimes forget the Mercy and Grace God has shown us when we become Christians… we seem to have become this new monster… of self-righteousness and piety, that we have all the answers and now have the right to condemn others as we see fit instead of our Great Commission to Share the Good News… ours is to share the Good News with others… Jesus Saves… if Christ didn’t condemn anyone why then have we taken on the role of condemning others as we choose… we aren’t to Judge anyone… what others do is between them and God… He will put His word on our hearts and minds… what applies for me may not apply for you… so why do we continually assert such a burden on others…Christ showed great compassion for those we seem to condemn… those with whom we show the door of our Churches… you don’t belong here… But wait… it isn’t our Church… it belongs to Christ, so what are we doing in the name of Religion, what Damage are we doing to His Children in the name of Religion… are we so certain that we have all the answers, are we so certain He has given us the keys to the Kingdom to act and treat others the way we sometimes do… None of us get it all right… but we are to make sure that No One is to be left out, even Christ showed us how to be Compassionate, Forgiving and yes Loving… how we are to live in harmony with the Father and with one another…and He has shown us how we All can - have a relationship with God again…when we live in fellowship with one another we live out our individual Callings, to bring the Good News to All … the rest is up to Him to lead and guide as He sees fit to do so… not us… ours is not to judge and if we find ourselves doing so…repent…for the day will come when we too will be judged as we judged others… are you that certain that you have all the answers, are you that certain that God will not hold you and I accountable for the Damage we do… are you that certain that God didn’t Call them to serve Him… just as they are… in matters not essential for Salvation, Faith allows believers to act on reason and conscience… instead of judging others we are to be concerned with our final judgment… How is God going to react to what we have done…even when others continue to suppress us and set us out, thankfully God always provides for His Children, He always finds a way for us to be in Relationship with Him… even when others tell us it can’t be done… He is the only one we need concern ourselves with… we are to forgive the Brother or Sister who tells us otherwise or holds you back from the Relationship He has awaiting each of us… and move forward in the Call that only He can provide…through Christ…we can be in that one same relationship with God… however we must show the same mercy, that He so generously shown us to our repressors to our condemners…we are to live the life that He has Called us to…we are to help others who fail to see the Love of God that is available through Christ… that they too can and will have the same unfailing Love that is available for All of Gods Children and sometimes it will be reflected in us… not just a select few… and certainly not the ones we think may be deserving… that is not our call to make… it is God’s… when we begin to realize that we are here to serve one another and to help build up one another instead of tearing each other down or suppressing anyone else, then do we start to live and to love as He has Called us to… and hopefully begin to undo some of the Damage that has been Done in the name of Religion… that God’s Love is available for All…who call upon HIS Great Name… Amen
Rev. Terry J. McGuire