First, there's a time to be angry. Scripture says,"Be angry, and sin not." There is never a time, however, to look down upon others. Matthew 5:22, “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell." Often, we look at people and say, "I don't know how they could do that." Be careful! You've done likewise yourself. You've sinned against God, and hated your neighbor. You've just sinned differently.

We're not too far from the worst humans on earth. In fact, the sodomites will be punished less than the Pharisees. Matthew 11:24, "But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.” Those who unrepentantly hear the gospel, no matter how moral you are, are worse than transvestites who never heard.

No, our attitude is not, "I'm better than you, you fool!" Don't look upon people and say, "You moron. You can't be saved. No gospel for you." This grievous wrong is self righteousness and pride. It is worse than the sins of others.

We who've obtained so much grace must be gracious. Speak the truth in love. We are not to look down upon people. We’re to lift them up. Recognizing God’s mercy, we must be merciful; it honors God, and fulfills the commandment to love.

Secondly, God will not participate in religion that doesn't love my neighbor. Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering." He won't have us worship him, while we mistreat others. He does not participate in cruel and hateful religion, no matter how sound our doctrine. If we do not love, even our enemies, then we don't love God. If we don't love the saints tangibly, then we don't know him. 1 John 3:17, "How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?"

First, pray for grace to love people - to forgive - and then offer your sacrifice of praise. Service must wait, until the heart is right. It must be love based, or it can't be worship. It must extend its hand to man, if it touches God. It must go up and out, and not up only.

This is the wonderful thing of grace: it makes us gracious. This beautiful conformity to Christ is the joy of true religion, as we become like him who saved us. Loving others and working on ourselves is thrilling, when PERFORMED BY THE SPIRIT [Rom 8:6]! Let us labor with God's help in forgiveness and cleansing, renewing ourselves to enjoy more of his presence, to give him glory, and to truly help others. Bless God this conformity is guaranteed to all who trust him, inch by inch, and mile by mile!

Thirdly, make sure that you live rightly. You will pay, no matter who you are, if you do not. Matthew 5:25-26, “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent."

We can talk about grace, but it only matters if we WALK THE WALK. Talk is cheap, and deceitful. It's flapping the lips, and living contrary in hypocrisy, when we don't practice the love of Christ. People can be most religious, and utterly proud and hateful. Flee from hypocrisy. It gains nothing. Don't hide iniquity behind sovereign grace. Say, "God, change me," and he will do it. He'll be happy to help you for Christ's sake!

Don't be unbelieving and doubtful. God loves to heal our anger and pride. He loves to set is free. Christ is beautiful, and conformity to him is God's delight to give us.

Confess, and admit your wrongs. He'll help you. Don't let scriptures bounce off like bullet proof armor. Let conviction come in, and then repent. Pray to God your Father, as a self righteous and hateful person. Say, "Your will be done. Make me do it." He will, and great will be your peace, strong will be your spirit, and others will say, "God is in this place, and I knew it not.” God’s delight to show mercy encourages us. Don’t be discouraged.