Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Guilty by Association

Think about the kid in your 2nd grade class that ate the paste. You know the one I mean. Now imagine all these years later that someone suggests you name your child (or dog) after this person. Ewwww! Not that name. I could NEVER pick that name. That's the kid who ate the paste!

Last summer I got my toe nails painted coral at the salon. Women's Day magazine had said coral was "THE" hot color for summer. When I got home, my daughter said "That looks like the color Nanny always gets." It did. Suddenly I didn't feel stylish, but grandmotherly.

In both these examples, the item itself is fine, but by association becomes "guilty."

Did you know that as Christians, we are the only Bible some people will ever see? So what are you saying about Jesus, by association? When you gossip with girlfriends. When you refuse to apologize for the feelings you've hurt, because they hurt your feelings too. When you don't include someone because YOU don't think they'll fit in with the group. When notice the speck in another's eye, while ignoring the plank in your own.

Jesus is found guilty, by association.

The irony is, that just as Jesus is found guilty by his association with us; We have been found not guilty by our association with him. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:17) Jesus died on the cross, found guilty of our sins, so that we can stand here now and say NOT GUILTY...by association.

James 2:10 -- For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

John 3:16 - - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Kelly

5 comments:

Marla said...

Good post. We can't say anything that would matter if we don't live it first.

Leaon Mary said...

Okay now THIS one is my favorite post. Jesus guilty by association. I have never looked at it like that. This is another one I hope I never forget Kelly.

oh and btw... keep tweeting those funny things the kidlets say PLEASE. Those kids CRACK ME UP.
TOO old at 29 huh? lol

Warren Baldwin said...

Great message and great twist on the play "by association." Good rhetorical device.

Edie said...

Really great twist on the "guilty by association" thought Kelly! I like this!

Reaching Flood Stage said...

Great post! I love the comparison! As a former teacher, I named all 4 of my children a name that never was associated with ANY of my students! :)
Your word are sooo true!