How To Save Without Condemning

Okay, so I took my day off from posting yesterday instead of Monday. It was just one of those days, again. Anyway, as I've become accustomed to reading and reflecting on the bible passages for the week I've noticed a change in how I face each day. When I find the time in the mornings to be with God my days are much more bearable than when I don't.

Unfortunately it was my partner at work who felt the "wrath" of Randy the Grouch. We were discussing the strategies for the day when she said something I didn't completely agree with; actually I didn't even partially agree with it. Instead of taking my usual stance of "help me understand why" I took a "I'm not going to do it that way" tone. I could see from her reaction that my response really caused a division between us, even if for a moment. I actually thought that what she wanted to try for that day was demeaning and below me and she needed me to stop her from making a mistake that would affect her for the rest of the summer. I had to save her.

Today's passage from John 3:1-17 reminds me just how badly we can become divided when we forget that we can't "save" anyone. The passage does a great job at explaining how we need to be reborn in order to enter the kingdom of God, but how most of Christianity have interpreted this passage is that the only way to be saved is to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Yikes.

Verse 17 clearly states that Jesus was not given to us to condemn others, but that people can find safety through him. I found it interesting that the first definition the Greek lexicon gives for the phrase "might be saved" is to keep safe and sound. The lectionary also notes that the negative (it actually says negative) definition of the same phrase is to deliver from judgment. I don't know about your Christ, but I like to think that mine helps to keep me from harm and rescues me from danger.

We, as the body of Christ, cannot deliver anyone from judgment; that's God's job. But we can help people in their time of need. Be Christ-like, my friends, and save people, don't condemn them.