Grace, for the Chief of Sinners, and Fred Phelps

As of this writing, Fred Phelps is still alive, but the message will remain the same upon his eventual passing.

I’ve been seeing an alarming amount of posts on social media outlets, rejoicing about the coming death of Phelps. The majority of these people are people who would claim a relationship with Christ.

I am deeply saddened by this.

Immediately I’m reminded of 1 John 4:20. I’ll paraphrase it, You’re a liar if you say you love God, but hate your brother. (You might not agree that Phelps is your brother, but humor me.)

Proverbs tells us that hatred stirs discord/strife. As a Christian, your response should never employ hatred. Ever. There should be no desire for revenge, or payback.

Do I agree with the Westboro Baptist Church? No. Do I support their theology? No.

What I do support, however, is the proper preaching of God’s word and living it like you mean it, when you share it. Sure, it sounds cliché, but so so so so many times, we miss the mark.

How can we criticize Phelps, but do the same thing? Can we say that his funeral protests and disregard for humanity were wrong, but rejoice in his passing and protest his funeral? Double standards don’t bring people unto the Lord.

Rather, let us instead show Grace. Let us instead respond with kindness. Let us instead exhibit Truth.

Paraphrased in The Message, 1 Timothy 1:14 paints a beautiful picture of Christ, and should be the motivation of our response to sinners, such as ourselves.

“I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were invective and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn’t know what I was doing—didn’t know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.”

Our response to injustice of any kind, should be rooted in Scripture.

Jesus loves even the chief of sinners, enough to die for them. (Just so we’re clear, the chief of sinners, is all of us.)

How do you feel about this? Do you support the protest of Phelps’ impending funeral? Do you share a similar belief with me? Shoot your responses at us!

• Saved: Authority, Christian Living, Church, Controversial, Politics