Saved by grace; show grace.

I saw an old friend at Wal-Mart and began to catch up on things like life, what church we were going to and exchanged numbers and went our different ways. Later my wife received a phone call from him and wanted to talk to me about a martial issue. I called back and he began to talk to me about an affair that took place. As I began to listen I thought to myself “he is probably not saved”. That was my conclusion. I began to ask him, “When did you get saved?” “Are you born again and when did it happen?” I was almost trying to convince him that he was not saved. I thought this was correct in my view, in my eyes and to some degree it is. I gave him some truth like God does want you to be more like His Son during this trail and then I told him that other advice he received from people is not biblical advice. Some of you reading might be saying, “You are being too hard!” Some of you are guilty of the same act (addressing Christians). I came at him with a Paul Washer attitude as though I was preaching the shocking message and he was my audience.

That same night I spoke with a friend and feeling strangely convicted of the conversation and began to understand grace more and showing grace to others. God was showing me in His Holy Word grace and how He has showed to people. I was deeply grieved and it was 12 at night I could barely go to sleep. I asked for forgiveness, pleaded for mercy, but still felt grieved. I have been convicted of sins before as a Christian like, looking with lust, lying etc. I can not recall being convicted of not showing grace. However, that night I was and show myself no different from a Pharisee. That is exactly how I felt. God began to take me through a journey of grace. I should have told my friend Christ is longsuffering with His Bride, the church and He is our example we should be to our spouse….longsuffering and perhaps God may restore the marriage. Im still learing.
In His Grace, Steven