You want a loving God?

Then be loving.

You want a merciful God?

Then be merciful.

Want God to forgive you?

Then forgive your fellow man.

Want God to condemn you?

Then be an accusatory person.

Want to put yourself above the

rest of the world?

Then get ready for a God who is

going to strain out every judgemental

thought you've ever had and measure

all the thoughts and intents of your

hidden heart by the same standard.

You and I as Christians need to realize

that however acceptable our lives may

be for the general audience, we still possess

an R-rated heart, and we're as good as dead

if we want God to meet us on any other

ground than his grace and forgiveness.

The joy of this truth is that once I can believe

that forgiveness for myself, then I can believe

it for anybody. I have new eyes to see

beyond my neighbor's sin and love him or her

                                 with the love of Christ.

                                                                         John Fischer