February #jammed: Dunked in Grace 

Day 48: Grace smiles warmly. 

 “Keep being kind to those who waver in this faith.” Jude 22

In today’s verse, Jesus’ brother Jude warns us not to use God’s guaranteed forgiveness as an excuse to stop growing.

diakrinō means “to judge, distinguish, evaluate” -Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary

judge: (transitive verb) to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises (intransitive verb) to form an opinion. (Merriam Webster)

One of the differences between a transitive and intransitive verb is that one owns an object and one doesn’t.

“And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.” Jude 22 (NLT)

“When applied to oneself, it can mean to “doubt” or “waver.”-Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary

distinguish- (transitive verb) to perceive a difference in: mentally separate (intransitive verb) to perceive a difference in.(Merriam-Webster)

Notice that, just like judge, the transitive verb is more defined than the intransitive.

“Be merciful to those who doubt;” Jude 22 (NIV)

“…to make distinctions shows a lack of true faith.” -Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary

evaluate- (transitive verb) to determine or fix the value of. (Merriam-Webster)

This time, no intransitive verb. Evaluate is attached to an object. The secondary definition Merriam-Webster lists states:“to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study.”

Why did diakrinō pop up in a verse about kindness? God is teaching us by exposing our tendency to “diakrinō ,” and warning us not to buy into it. Christianity is not about pointing fingers, or making excuses for the mistakes we make. When we attach ourselves to kindness instead, it’s impossible to judge, distinguish, or evaluate another life alongside our own.

“Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.” Jude 22:23

diakrinō is used in a technical legal sense in Paul’s exhortation for believers to refrain from suing one another. (1Cor6:5)-Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary

We see fault in others when we are blind to our own. It’s all over social media, but it’s not new. I love that the Bible deals with “believers suing one another.” Christians are not exempt from bad behavior. We are still sinners! That doesn’t change, but we shouldn’t exploit that as an excuse to justify the wrong we know we do.

No one walk with Christ will look the same as another. God printed every finger different, why would His love towards us be any less perfect, or personal?

“If you can’t be kind …be quiet.” Toby Mac

Father, Praise You for creating each of us different, and loving us all perfectly. Thank You for reminding us how important it is to be kind. Forgive us for pointing fingers at others and making excuses for our own bad behavior. Bless our hearts to soften toward others and be convicted of our own sin. Help us to repent and change each day of our lives, until we hug You in heaven.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

How can you be kind to someone today? Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Checking,

Megs

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