So, very few things get my blood boiling more than self-righteous, religious, hypocritical idiots. (I’m being really nice with my words here 
! )
I allowed myself a day to consider my words for this post, and so I choose them carefully. This post comes as a response to a blog entry from my good friend, Jason.
Jason has been speaking up regarding the recent attempt by a group of atheists to place advertisements on city buses that say, “There probably is no God …” I would encourage you to go to Jason’s blog and read the many posts about the subject, beginning with this one. I didn’t bother writing much about the issue, because I felt Jason has perfectly summed up my heart on the subject as well. He did an amazing job in trying to show love to the Atheist community. Kudos to him.
He received a number of great responses. Some publicly on his blog. Many privately. Most were incredibly positive, thanking him for extending grace and trying to find commonality between two groups who would seem to be very conflicting.
However, he also received a few negative comments. Most of those were anonymous. Most were from so-called Christians who told Jason that he was “going to hell (like the atheists).”
Now, Jason just shrugs off those comments, as he should. Let’s face it, anyone who takes a stand that may seem a little controversial has to be ready for negativity. Launching a Bikers’ Church brought out all kinds of wonderful critics!
I have no idea if Jason is going to Heaven or Hell. The Bible tells me not to judge another man’s heart. I do know that Jason’s fruit demonstrates a life that is sold out for God, in love with Jesus, and passionate about serving him in every way. His fruit suggests to me that he is going to enjoy eternity with God. But, again, I leave that ultimate judgement to God … it’s not my business to make it.
But I want to put out a challenge to all your self-righteous types who love to post behind anonymity. Most of you are cowards by nature and no matter what I say, you wont come out from behind that curtain. You love the Internet because you can blast your condemnation, hate, and nastiness with seemingly no consequences.
You forget that God knows you. He sees right through the keyboard, he sees the log in your eye, and he sees the blackness in your heart.
But do know what he sees most? God sees the delight you take in telling someone they are going to hell. And it breaks his heart. You see, God doesn’t delight in anyone going to hell. It is his desire, his heart’s cry that all open the gift of grace. Not once, ever, did God celebrate the opportunity to tell someone they were damned. Even when he disciplined his children, he did so with a heart that was heavy.
Perhaps you should stop delighting in telling someone they are going to hell. Maybe it’s time to weap over the lostness of those you think are without God. Read Genesis 18:22–33. Notice how Abraham doesn’t take delight in the condemnation of Sodom, but rather pleads for their lives. Maybe you could learn a lesson from that story.
Of course, most of you wont. It’s too easy to stay hidden in your anonymity, criticizing those who step out and try to show love to people who’s view may differ from yours. It’s more “fun” to be self-rigteous, and point out the faults and errors in everyone else, rather than asking God to change your own heart.
I don’t know if Jason is going to Heaven or Hell. I don’t know if you are going to Heaven or Hell. Again, I can’t judge the heart, only God can. All we can do, as his followers, is look at the fruit that is demonstrated. And for some, the fruit makes me weep before God and ask him to spare one more.
(Yes, some of you will criticize me for being just as judgemental as those who hide behind their anonymity. Fair enough. But at least you know my name.)
