HELD DOWN BY BIAS

Posted by Mohan Karulkar: I did some dumb things in college. I did some hilarious things too, but mostly dumb. They're in the past, but sometimes my inbox holds interesting surprises. It's a special feeling, for instance, getting tagged in a frat party photo from 1999.

I'm not complaining, though.  People are actually pretty excited when they hear about me being a (mostly) reformed manchild.  For whatever reason, no one judges the reformed manchild.

But what about when your story is different?  What about when your baggage continues to haunt you long after you've thrown it overboard?  I recently heard the sad story of some friends who overcame infidelity in their marriage years ago, but continue to be judged and discriminated for it today.  Folks aren't interested in their incredible testimony of reconciliation -- and salvation -- but rather the sin that's long since been repented of and paid for in full.

And that got me thinking, what is it about some people's pasts that is so hard to accept?

Manchildery?  No problem. Infidelity?  No thank you.

And then it dawned on me -- it's Grace Bias.  People are comfortable with my past drinking and partying, maybe because it happened before I knew Christ.  But people aren't comfortable with infidelity, maybe because it hits too close to home.  Whatever the reason, that kind of grace isn't unconditional; it's biased.  Grace bias alienates and isolates -- and it's what real grace was never meant to be.

This story is just another reminder of why we need to be purposeful about Grace.  We have to strive to be like Christ, and actively fight the grace bias.  We need to look for opportunities, not just to practice "grace equality," but to practice radical grace...uncomfortable grace, even -- for the adulterer, the pervert, the bigot, the blasphemer, and yes, the manchild.

Are you with me?

Have you been guilty of grace bias?

How do you fight grace bias in your life?