A Handshake Is Not Repentance

There is a counterfeit grace going around the church. It wears a smile and a firm handshake. A man lies to your face one month, never makes it right, and the next time he sees you he claps you on the shoulder and says, "Good to see you, brother," like nothing ever happened. And if you don't return the performance, you're the bitter one. You're the one with the problem. You're "unforgiving."

Brother, that isn't grace. That's a lie.

The deceiver is being clever here. He has skipped repentance entirely and gone straight to fellowship, and by doing so he has quietly moved the ball into your court. Now if there's any awkwardness, it's your fault. But Scripture never put it there. "If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him" (Luke 17:3). Notice the order. The trespasser is the one who has to come and make it right. The warm greeting is not repentance. It's a way around it.

You don't owe anyone the lie that nothing is wrong. You owe them the truth, in love, and an open door for when they're ready to walk through it honestly.

Peace built on pretending is not peace. It is a truce with deception. The Holy Spirit will not bless what He did not author.

Stand still. Stay kind. But do not let a handshake talk you out of what your own conscience already knows.

Pastor Fortunato
Founding Pastor & Preacher of the Word.
Pilgrim Baptist Church — Cookeville, Tennessee

https://pilgrimbaptist.church/
https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/pilgrimbaptist/