Jesus Doesn't Care About Your Past
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,..." -- Romans 3:23
There's a controversial sign outside the Community at Lake Ridge church in Mansfield, Texas. The sign says, "Jesus Does Not Care." Some folks have been horrified at its message. Others have asked questions and watched the short video at Jesusdoesnotcare.com.
The pastor said he wanted to stir things up. I think he did -- in a really good way. Sometimes we have to be blunt, to shock people into taking notice, so they can see truth. So many of us have past sins draped over us like a funeral cloth. We can't see how anyone could ever forgive our pasts. It's like we think Jesus didn't really mean us when He sacrificed Himself for all believers.
When I talk about sinners, I'm not just referring to drug addicts, prostitutes or thieves. I also mean the person who told a lie this morning and the one lost her temper at lunch and the one who didn't help the homeless teen she passed on the way home from work. I'm talking about all of us. Because we are all sinners. That sin leads to death. It doesn't matter if it was a "little" sin or a "big" sin. The consequences are the same. Without Jesus, we are doomed.
The point of the sign and the video is that Jesus doesn't care about your past or mine. When we come to the cross, when we ask God's forgiveness and accept Jesus' gift, we are forgiven. The slate is wiped clean. He doesn't see it anymore. Jesus doesn't care about your past.
What Jesus cares about is us. He cares how we live our lives today and tomorrow and all the days between now and the time we go home. He knows we can't change what we've done. But we can learn and grow and use those experiences to reach out and draw other people toward Jesus.
This is a controversial sign with, frankly, a controversial message. I'm not surprised that some folks got a little upset. We may know that Jesus died for everyone but some people -- whether intentionally or unintentionally -- still act like His gift was only for certain people. But the Bible clearly says no sin is too big that God won't forgive it. I know. It's an amazing love that is just so far beyond anything any of us can comprehend.
This sign has started a dialogue. I'm glad. Maybe the words and the message will open church doors for people who believed they weren't welcome. And maybe the people already inside can open their hearts, hold out their hands and draw the newcomers inside.
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