Authenticity

[Jermyn Davidson]

I remember when attending a certain UPC, every once in a while we would share testimonies in the service. Whenever I got the chance, I would thank God for His Grace and Mercy in my life.

I was 21, unmarried, and in the military-- I had no shame as I testified and thanked God for His Grace and Mercy in my life.

Then, I had an older person, not elderly, but a saint who I looked up to, that person spoke with me in private and said that I shouldn't always publicly thank God for His Grace and Mercy because it makes people think that you are sinning every day.

Then I said, but I do sin everyday. Even my thoughts are sinful sometimes.

Then that person says, God knows your heart and I understand what you are saying-- but others hear what you say and think that you are living in sin and not saved. You have to be wise and you can't share everything with every body. The Lord knows and I just want you to be aware of how some church folk are. Some folks are very judgmental.


I smiled and said ok, and didn't give it too much thought because I knew that if they knew what I knew about what I was going through on a daily basis, they would be thanking God for His Grace and Mercy too!

Even right now, I look back and wonder how on earth I ever got over!


HALLELUJAH JESUS!!!