Faces

 The question was posed from friend to friend, "What would people at your church think if a visitor showed up who .............." The answer, without needing to think, was, "Well, we'd say they were being selfish.."

Let that sink in. 

Maybe you think you need more information to have an opinion. What was the offense the friend posited?But the actual offense in the original query shouldn't matter. Not to Christians, anyway. Should it? 

I've been pondering Romans 12:18 a lot recently, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." The word given to me for today is peaceful. I went back and looked at the context for verse 18. In my NIV translation, it is sectioned off with verses 9-21, entitled "Love".  I found that this admonition to live at peace is just one of twenty guidelines for love including...

Love sincerely

Hate evil

Honor others above yourself

Serve the Lord with zeal

Faithfully pray

Bless those who persecute you

Be willing to associate with people of low position

I don't see anything about judging others for their behavior. Hate what is evil, yes. But love sincerely came right before that. And right after it is, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love." Next it says to honor others. Can we do all of that when we make assumptions about motive? 

So, what was the original question? Was it, "What would people think if a visitor showed up who was stealing from the offering?" Was it referring to someone who living a lifestyle of wealth without giving to the poor? Was it someone whose personal choices were clearly negatively affecting their spouse or children or neighbors or coworkers? While I would hope that Christians, who say they are following Christ's example, wouldn't judge any of these people, none of these questions represent the original question posed. 

No. The question recently asked, relevant to today was, "What would people at your church think if a visitor showed up who was not wearing a mask." 

Friends, I know I fall short many times but I am making the commitment again today to be the embodiment of Jesus and my job description is found in Romans 12:18. I want to live in such a way that as far as it depends on me, I can be at peace with everyone. I want people to feel like they can "come as they are" around me. I want to remember that we are all struggling in some way, with some thing. We all have external behaviors that cover the internal battles. I want to be so secure in my faith and identity and destiny that I can see every visitor, every issue, every outcast, every struggling soul, as a child of God. It is God's job to judge the heart. My job is to love and honor and live at peace. It is God's job to deal with the sin issues. It is my job to faithfully pray, to bless others, and to welcome all.

Come as you are.