Is Your Church Ready for Sinners?
What a stupid question you say.. the church is the body of believers whom by definition are sinners saved through the redeeming grace of God. So what exactly am I asking? A few years ago I picked up a book called “Under the Overpass”, two young college students leave their comfortable dorm rooms to pursue life on the streets of America bearing nothing but the clothes on their backs, a guitar and some spare change.
At one point during their journey, wet, cold and hungry they find shelter within the grounds of a church near the front door leading into the sanctuary. The next morning church goers promptly avoid the men, entering through the side door offering no care or assistance. Linking homelessness to undesirable sinful lifestyles the only communication was when they were asked to move along. So.. is Your church ready for sinners?
What does the church look like in the 21st century? Is the church loving, compassionate, and actively engaging the lost? I would like to think we (the church) are meeting ‘all people’ where they are at, humbling ourselves as servants, forming relationships and sharing with them the love of Christ and the gospel message.
There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’ we are all sinners. We are no ‘better’, they are no ‘worse’, but those who have accepted Christ are different. They have true freedom from sin through Christ’s blood and resurrection, and a promise of eternity with Him.
And so ends my thoughts for the day..