I was sitting in church… minding my own business. Two young men came in and sat a few rows in front of me. During the service, they decided to put on a show to express their disdain for the pastor’s message. Every time he mentioned obedience to God, the men held up their hands like puppeteers and mocked him. Their message was clear, and the distraction they caused the teens sitting nearby was uncomfortable. But nobody did anything about it.

Well, I can’t just sit and watch bad things happen. When I saw the guys acting out, fire flashed from my eyes. Oh noooo!… I thought. You aren’t going to mock God in this place! I stood up, walked down two rows, and leaned into the face of the main offender. I whispered to him, three inches from his nose, telling him he was welcome in the church, but if he continued his mocking, I would personally put him out. Then, I walked away.

With their show ending in humiliation, the two offenders abruptly left the service. I felt no remorse. I didn’t beg them to stay. I let them feel, and others see, the sting of their rebuke. The church is a place of welcome and acceptance, but do not bring that kind of disrespect into God’s house. Do not dishonor the Almighty in the place of His worship.

But what would Jesus do? I wondered. The incident made me think. How did Jesus deal with open disrespect to God’s Temple? I remembered how He dealt with greedy vendors when they desecrated the Jewish Temple. Jesus made a whip and physically drove them off the property. Then He flipped their tables, sending their wares sailing across the courtyard. I’m sure His followers were shocked. “Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: ‘Passion for God’s house will consume me.’” (John 2:17)

Sometimes God’s kindness emboldens men to rebel. We mistake God’s kindness for passivity. We think He has no wrath, and His mercy has no limit. “They have no fear of God at all.” (Romans 3:18) Yet, God’s holiness has never waned, nor his anger toward sin abated. He still judges disobedience.

Yet through His Son, He offers grace. Grace is our temporary opportunity to escape God’s anger forever. It’s His open door to eternal pardon. Once the “grace period” ends, however, only judgment remains for those who refuse Him. For now, He waits, so all who are willing will come in before the door closes forever.

“Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)