Grace Before Judgment: Why Jesus Surprised Everyone and What That Means for Us Today

Episode • Sep 12, 2016 • 55m

How the example of Jesus offers a radical blueprint for engaging LGBTQ+ questions and moral debates with transformative grace and humility before judgment. Drawing from Luke 6, Deuteronomy 21, and Paul’s letters, Mike Erre and Andy Lara unpack why the church has often missed the mark by prioritizing correction over compassion—and how we can do better.

Key Takeaways: • Judging Others vs. Discernment – Mike explains the crucial difference between crino (righteous discernment) and condemnation, and how misunderstanding this distinction leads Christians to misrepresent Jesus. • Jesus and the Gay Wedding Question – Diving into the controversy surrounding Jesus’ potential attendance at a gay wedding, Mike illustrates how Jesus’ presence at celebratory, public meals with “sinners” was perceived as endorsement—and why His model challenges the church’s current postures. • Mercy as the Core of Discipleship – Why Jesus said “be merciful as your Father is merciful” instead of “be holy” as the primary command and what that tells us about wielding truth with love. • Why Grace is Transformative – Real gospel grace changes people—and Mike argues that grace shown scandalously, even before “truth is spoken,” creates the conditions for repentance and transformation. • Paul’s Take on Judgment – Andy sets up a discussion on Paul’s rules for judgment within the church, and Mike outlines how discernment belongs in close-knit faith communities among believers—not lobbed at the wider culture or the LGBTQ+ community. • Personal Reflections on Sin and Separation – Mike shares personal examples of when avoiding certain contexts is warranted, and when extending grace in hard spaces is truly Christlike.

Resources Mentioned: • Luke 6 – Jesus’ radical teaching on mercy and judgment • Deuteronomy 21:18–21 – Comparison to Jesus being called a glutton and drunkard • Galatians 6:1 – Restoring others gently • 1 Corinthians 5 – Paul’s instruction on judging within the church • Subversivekingdom.com – Mike Erre’s platform for deeper engagement

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Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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