The Knock That Opens Doors

Beloved of God,

Before I became a Christian, one of the things that made me so resentful and angry about religion and the religious was feeling judged by people who seemed completely disconnected to who I was and my struggles, so completely unwilling to be compassionate and were so righteous in their own sinful natures. They didn't have the right to condemn, point fingers and attack when they had their own closets to contend with.  I wonder how some of us would do if we had THAT dirty laundry spilling into the political arenas and media hype.

Christians, I think some of us should look around and check to see who we know.  If you don't have a diverse group of friends, you are in danger of preaching to the choir.  There is no one to tell the good news to when everyone you know has already heard it! 

I eventually came to faith because of a God who beckons, yes, but also because of Christian friends who loved me even as I condemned their religion, because of my brother who was so steadfast even when he stood alone and because I found a church who welcomed me long before I made a decision.  The common thread here is that I was loved for who I was THEN, not who I was going to become.  They had earned the RIGHT to speak their beliefs into my life before I accepted them as my own.

Christians, if you don’t LOVE FIRST, by the command of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, you are an obstacle.  God has dropped a trail of Bread in dark places so the lost can find Him.  Your lack of compassion is like the bird who swoops down and greedily consumes the path.  The lost remain lost.

Loving someone does not mean you have to agree.  You only need to look at a family member to know that!  It doesn't mean you have to go along or take part.  On the contrary, we are called to live in Biblical truth.  However, I think of all the people in my life I would miss out on if I didn't find a way to connect with them, despite our differences.  Many of my friends knew me before I came to faith and stuck it out as my life was transforming.  Not everyone did.

Yes, it works both ways.

Christians, the shape of the cross is an example of relationship, the knock that opens doors: the verticle with God and the horizontal with His people.  We accomplish this with outstretched hands, not downcast eyes.  Look around and make some friends outside the church. Jesus showed up for ALL to see, not just a select few.

And, listen, if you don’t know how to do that right now, just don't hinder the opportunity for other Christians to do so by how you represent who we are.  I pray I have not become the kind of Christian who kept ME away.