September 1, 2016

Just recently I heard someone discussing that he could not go to church because it was so full of righteous, judgemental, Christians.  At first I was a bit rankled about that statement, until I  relaxed a little bit and began to wonder why this gentleman believed such a thing.   I came to realize, as I peered into some of the churches I have attended over the years, that it sure appeared that the folks sitting primly in the pews did have it all together.    Friends, I think sometimes we put on face fronts that give people the idea that we are, or we think we are, without strife and sin in our lives.  We go to church all dressed up and sing pretty songs and smile and tell everyone we are fine.  We tsk tsk when a sister in Christ reveals how her "counsin on her mother's side really made a mess of things".  Then we promise to pray for those who are making bad choices and drop a few dollars in the special collection plate to support some mission or another.   Seldom do we reveal our hurts, diappointments, and shortcomings.    No wonder when an outsider looks in they don't want any part of us.   We don't share with folks that we are sinners in a fallen world,just like them!   We don't want to put ourselves on the same plain as one who has a police record or an addiciton.   Boy aare we fakes!    Jesus said we are all sinners in need of His grace and He loves us anyway!   Our churches are full of those who are messed up ion any number of ways and we need to be transparent to those looking in from outside the doors of our church.   Luke 5:31-32 records "And Jesus anwsered them , "Those we are well have no need of a physician but those we are sick.   I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance." (ESV)    Let's accept and acknowledge our sin and lean into Jesus for his healing.  Then, let's invite others to join us!