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A few weeks ago Ariana Grande hosted One Love Manchester, a benefit concert for those affected by the terror attack at the Manchester show on her Dangerous Woman Tour.  The concert was a beautiful display of love, resilience and hope in the face of fear as artists and Manchester residents came together for the event. (Watch the concert here)

Justin Bieber was one of the performers at One Love Manchester.  Justin, an outspoken Christian, shared these words of encouragement during his set:

“God is good in the midst of the darkness.  God is good in the midst of the evil.  God is in the midst.  No matter what is happening in the world, God is in the midst. And He’s here for you and He loves you.”

– Justin Bieber

Several Christian media outlets quickly began sharing video clips of that powerful and emotional moment.

The comments on the videos ranged from prayers and gratitude that Justin shared God’s hope and love with people recovering from tragedy to-of course-criticism, without which no comment section would be complete.

Some people it seems, think that Justin’s lifestyle of following Jesus doesn’t measure up to his profession of following Jesus-at least not in a way that’s good enough for them.

Justin Bieber and where he is in his personal spiritual journey aren’t my point, though.  Justin is awesome.  He’s talented.  I love his music (yes, I’m a Belieber) and he loves Jesus.  I’m proud to call him my brother in Christ.  His words at One Love Manchester were some of the most honest, pure, refreshing exhortation I’ve heard in a while.  I know it encouraged me, not to mention the many at the concert who need the hope of Jesus and may not know Him yet.  The reaction online by some Christians, however, exposes an underlying problem: the tendency to condemn another person for where they are in their spiritual journey.

“Who are you to judge someone else’s walk with the Lord? Is your walk perfect?” I read that type of language from several other commenters responding to the critics.  It’s a valid question we all need to consider before we start pointing the finger at someone else.

You see, we’re guilty of this across the board.  Whether our target is celebrity, stranger, family member, co-worker or a fellow member of our local church, too often Christians throw stones first instead of extending love and grace first.

If I had a dime for every time I heard:

“How can he do ___ and be a Christian?!” Because he just gave his life to Jesus last week and he’s not perfect.  And no one walking with Jesus is perfect.  Growing? Mature? Sure.  But no matter how long you’ve been following Jesus you’re not perfect and you won’t be until He comes back.

“Can you believe she ___?!” Yes, I can.  She doesn’t know Jesus yet.  She doesn’t know His perfect law that sets her free.  She hasn’t surrendered her life to Him.  She hasn’t yet experienced His love and transformation in her life.

Much of the shock and outrage we experience as Christians is self-inflicted because we put unrealistic and unbiblical expectations on people.  If we viewed people with compassion like Jesus does, we’d be more gracious.  If we viewed spiritual maturity as a process like the Bible does, we’d be more patient.

If you’re not going to condemn a toddler who is just taking his first steps for not walking like an adult, then don’t condemn searching people or growing Christians for not being fully mature yet.

Jesus doesn’t have to mature people on your timetable.

Becoming like Christ is a process that happens progressively over time.  It’s a process we are ALL in.  (2 Corinthians 3:18 // Ephesians 4:13-15) As long as you are consistently progressing toward maturity in Jesus you’re in good shape. (Philippians 3:12-14 //  2 Peter 1:3-11)

Receiving and Extending Grace

In my post God Doesn’t Give Up On You When You Make Mistakes I shared that for years in my walk with Jesus I struggled with the idea that He was angry at me for even the slightest area of shortcoming or spiritual immaturity in my life.  I feared I wasn’t good enough for Him, wasn’t growing fast enough, wasn’t getting it right fast enough for Him and that He would give up on me at any moment.

…Until He showed me Philippians 1:6 and lifted that burden from me.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6)

Philippians 1:6 became a life verse for me.  Now, it’s become more than just an encouragement in how God sees me, but how I should see other people as well.

God is patient with me in my journey of spiritual maturity and I need to be patient with people in their journey of spiritual maturity too.  God is patient with you in your journey of spiritual maturity and you need to be patient with people in their journey of spiritual maturity too.

Moving Past Condemnation

So, what do we do instead of condemnation?

Pray

God calls us to pray for one another in our faults, not rip each other apart.  (James 5:16) When we pray for our brothers and sisters as they are growing in Christ and overcoming sin-and they pray for us-we join with them in their journey toward being spiritually whole instead of fighting against God’s work in their lives.

All throughout the New Testament, we see the apostles praying for the believers in various cities to grow in their walk with Jesus and for the His message to pierce the hearts of those who have yet to put their faith in Him.  Why not take these prayers and pray them for the Christians and those who need to know Christ in your life?  Trade condemnation for prayer.

For a list of those prayers to get you started, access the exclusive content, How To Pray The New Testament Prayers in the Free Resource Library

Be Humble and Gentle

God calls us to spiritual maturity. (Hebrews 6:1) God calls us to help our brothers and sisters who stumble into sin to get back on the right path. (Galatians 6:1-2) We are not called to completely turn a blind eye to where truth, righteousness and spiritual maturity are lacking, but God calls to address it with gentleness and humility.

Be gentle, not harsh, as you come alongside fellow believers and encourage them to walk in the ways of Jesus.  Be gentle and respectful in the way you share the Good News of salvation in Jesus with those who don’t know Him yet. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Be humble.  Remember that you haven’t arrived yet either and you will not be a fully mature Christian until the return of Christ.  (Philippians 1:6) As you extend a hand to support and encourage people as they are grow closer to Jesus, do it with the awareness that you are not perfect either.  You’re just coming alongside to help strengthen someone who is on the same journey you are on.

God cares as much about our tone and attitude as we help people get closer to Him as He does that we follow His instructions to do it in the first place.

Encourage

The Bible calls us to encourage one another and think of ways we can provoke each other to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Are you actively thinking of ways you can encourage people on their journey of spiritual maturity?  Are you actively thinking of ways you can stir up your brothers and sisters to love God, love people and grow in doing good works that obey and honor Christ?  Are you acting on the Spirit-inspired ideas and words so that they actually can be built up in faith in Jesus?

Love

Everything Jesus did was marked by love.  Even when Jesus spoke difficult truths to people and called them out of sin, He did it with a motivation and attitude of love.  Everything we do as Christians should be motivated by and expressed in love as well.  If it’s not, we’re missing it and the purpose of our efforts is lost.  Truth can only be received if it’s packaged in love. (Ephesians 4:15)

Heartless condemnation is not befitting for a Christian and it doesn’t reflect the heart of Jesus to others.  Pursue and encourage spiritual growth with love and grace, not condemnation.

Your Turn: Think of someone you have previously condemned for where they are in their journey of spiritual maturity.  Spend some time praying for them this week.  If you are able to contact them, speak encouragement to them this week as well.  Discuss this post in the comments below.

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