The critical spirit cannot survive in the house of grace. One must go. Grace bids criticism to find the good and it answers sharply back with guidance “just live a better life”. Criticism cries for justice yet true justice it does not know. Mercy peers in though the window longing to go in. Peace may not enter till the critical spirit leaves. How long will this battle continue? How long will peace be held at bay? Grace is life and yet is left to die. Grace is love yet through open lips the critic justifies its words are love. Grace is Jesus yet His heart is not the one portrayed. When do we drive this spirit from the house and let grace rule again within our hearts and homes? Dinner is set with the master, sinners on the list. Will we with grace embrace - or looking with pious grin find nourishment at the table of self righteousness? Oh that I would have a house of grace for all to enter in. A house of love where Jesus greets us at the door - bidding welcome to my home, please sit and eat – Holy Spirit has been waiting to point us to the sink, where Jesus will do the washing of our souls. For then can peace enter and fill each room - washing through with waves of joy and contentment. Why did we welcome criticism so long when peace was waiting so patiently? Go now and thrive! Walk in grace; speak in love as peace twirls and dances all around. Cruel judgment is welcome here no more.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
(Romans 5:1-6 NKJV)
For it is written: "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO GOD." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
(Romans 14:11-23 NKJV)
