• Too Soft On People?

  Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 12, 2009 (message contributor)

  based on 1 rating   (rate this sermon illustration)

   | 3,605 views

  Scripture:  John 1:15-17

  Tags:  Grace

TOO SOFT ON PEOPLE?

A preacher named Ron Rose told a woman who came into his office complaining that his sermons always being about forgiveness and grace. She said he needed to come down harder on the sinners and in her words, "nail them."

After her rant, Ron asked, "So, you’ve got forgiveness and grace all worked out in your own life?"

"Well, Ron" she replied, "there are some things you can’t turn loose of, things that don’t deserve grace, or forgiveness. That’s just the way it is. I know it’s that way in my family."

She leaned over my desk and revealed a heart hardened by resentment and bitterness, "No, forgiveness is not an option. I’ve been hurt too much."

The grudge was too embedded. And her spiritual life was powerless and trapped in the wilderness. Lack of forgiveness had turned her into a critical, judgmental woman.

Then the preacher went on to say "She wanted me to make everyone else as miserable as she was."

(From an article by Jeff Strite, "A Love That Will Not Let You Go" 7/26/2009)