Out of Focus

Well today marks third day that i have been without my glasses. I broke them on friday and was able to repair them but on Monday morning I put the whammy on them for good as I carelessly wrestled with Joshua. Life has been just a bit out of focus for me since. Thank you God that I have not suffered from any major headaches thanks to all this. Tomorrow I should be gladly returned to the land of the 20/20 seers.
This makes me think though of what life must be like for those who really do not get what it means to be christian. Oh we see and hear so many would be christians roaming the earth shouting at all who would give them ear how they are all going to hell in a hand basket so-to-speak. The only problem is that too often they focus their attentions on exterior and quite honestly trivial things to place their judgement on others. I am amazed at how easily "christians" will stab each other in the spiritual back in an act of holy love so as to appease their sense of moral justice.
I sat with a man, someone who has become a good friend of mine in recent weeks, discussing this very issue. He is new to the Christian journey and essentially knows only that he loves Jesus. His spiritual sensibilities have not been finely tuned as it were. While we were talking he thanked me for never placing spiritual judgement upon him and expressed concern over ministers and such that badger believers along rather than shepherding them. I was able to speak with him about the ethic of Christian responsibility and freedom that we have in Christ. He needed to hear about the grace of Christ much more than he needed to hear about the "unchristian" state that some aspects of his life may exude.
This places a heavy responsibility on our shoulders. As followers of Christ we are called to share this life with others. We are called to proclaim the freedom that exists because Jesus has come. Too often we proclaim only the list of "unacceptable" activities that we believe should not show their fruit in the life of one who is immersed in journey. How many potential disciples do we turn away because of this out of focus message? I pray that I always proclaim freedom from oppression and freedom to live victoriously as a part of the Kingdom.