Would he disapprove?

The question on whatever blog I was on was a simple but, oh so complex.

Would Jesus disapprove of Christianity if he came back to the Earth today?

According to the results of the poll, 85 percent of the ones who answered said yes, and it didn't matter whether it was Democrats or Republicans, Catholic or Protestant answerers. Wow. Really?

Would he really?

I thought about it long and hard, well for a few minutes anyway. I finally decided it was a bit of a trick question.

Christianity, I reasoned, isn't what he invented in the first place, at least in the manner it is described today. If it is the Gospels we're talking about, then Jesus would be fine with it. If it is Paul's description of the Gospels, then Jesus would be okay with that as well.

But these Christians...

That he would have difficulty with. That he would have problems about. That he would disapprove of, for the most part.

But that's the greatness of grace, and that wipes out the question. For Jesus loves us, even if we've distorted the message. Jesus loves us, even if we're struggled to do what he told us to do. Jesus loves us, this I know, for the Gospels tell me -- over and over and over.

That's the greatness of the grace of God. Would he disapprove? He didn't while he was on the planet. He ate with sinners, loved on sinners, wanted to save sinners.

That's us. Still.