Even though Paul assures us...
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Even though Paul assures us that God has forgiven us our trespasses (v. 13), we may find it difficult to regard others as recipients of God's grace, at least not until they have died (and perhaps not even then). A mortician told me of a pastor who had engaged in marriage counseling with a couple. However, the wife died unexpectedly, and this same pastor was asked to conduct her funeral. According to the mortician, this minister habitually eulogized at memorial services in the style informally known as "preaching them into heaven"; and, although he was well acquainted with this woman's faults, he made no exception during her funeral. Halfway through the service, however, the decedent's half-
witted sister stood up, pointed to the preacher, announced, "He doesn't know what he's talking about," and walked out. A short time later, the widower himself died and this same minister was asked to preside at that funeral. The man's family made sure that his sister-in-law was not allowed to attend. Paul was never blind to the sins and faults of human beings. Nonetheless, he insisted that God's grace was sufficient and real and now. -- Bristow
witted sister stood up, pointed to the preacher, announced, "He doesn't know what he's talking about," and walked out. A short time later, the widower himself died and this same minister was asked to preside at that funeral. The man's family made sure that his sister-in-law was not allowed to attend. Paul was never blind to the sins and faults of human beings. Nonetheless, he insisted that God's grace was sufficient and real and now. -- Bristow
