Do You Walk in Love?
Follow God’s example, therefore, as
dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and
gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – Ephesians
5:1-2
How accepting are you? Do you welcome people who are
different, whether it’s someone from another culture or a different faith? Do
you treat those who are poor with the same respect as you treat those who are
wealthy? Do you treat someone warmly, regardless of their social status?
Don’t be so quick to say “Of course!” Our churches are
filled with people who are only interested in welcoming people just like them
into their fold. “Different” need not apply.
We’re quick to make excuses. We need people who can
give back, whether financially or with volunteer hours. We’re not set up to
deal with “issues” some folks might bring, things like drug addiction,
depression, abusive relationships. Some other church is more equipped to help
them. That’s what we tell ourselves, anyway.
Jesus never said to pass our obligations on to someone
else. He never said to make people clean themselves up before we extend our
hands in love. He also never said our rules and opinions should matter more
than loving the lost, the broken, the hungry. In fact, Jesus said just the
opposite.
Let’s take it outside of the church for a moment. Do
you welcome the new co-worker to lunch with your friends? Do you invite the new
neighbors over for the neighborhood cookout? Do you include the new child at
school in your own child’s playgroup? Do you extend the hand of welcome, the
hand of grace, the hand of acceptance to those you don’t know and those who
might not “fit in?”
Who have you rejected today? Who have you excluded
from your circle? Who have you made to feel unwanted, unnoticed, unwelcome? Who
is walking alone today because you didn’t make an effort to invite them into
your world, even if only for a moment, a meal, a short conversation?
Pastor Ryan Martin said yesterday that when we treat
people with love and respect, we see a change in them. He’s right. Sometimes
all it takes is a kind word and genuine smile to see people blossom right in
front of you.
Here’s a basic truth: God loves the outcasts whether
we love them or not. God sees the outcasts whether we see them or not. It’s not
how hard you love those in your circle that counts. It’s how hard you love
those on the perimeter of your world that draws people toward Christ.
We focus on the ugliness in Washington. We condemn
those who are different. We spew hatred toward those we paint with a wide brush
stroke as evil. And we do it all in the name of Jesus. How ridiculous and how
sad.
We justify ourselves using God’s own words. We pull
things out of context. We focus on one sentence, ignoring all the others around
it. We excuse our own sins while harshly judging someone who sins differently.
Martin noted that God’s Word is a sword. The Bible
tells us that. But here’s the rest of that: It can be used for good or evil.
God’s Word can be used to strengthen His Kingdom or tear it down.
It’s easy to point fingers and blame others for all
the evils in this world. That’s not your job or mine. Judgment belongs to God.
Our job is to love people and, in so doing, shine a light that draws them
toward Christ.
