Less Than We Think We Are

Recently my friend Terry posted a link to this video on Facebook, and it really got me thinking.

You may have heard this song on the radio, or you may have it in your playlist (I do), but I would encourage you watch the video that goes along with the words.  The message is just so powerful.  People have all sorts of problems from shame, anger, guilt, lust....the list goes on and on (even more than the blackboard can hold here).  But the story doesn't end there.  When people meet Jesus, He can wash away that sin from our lives and make us a NEW person, a person like Him.

Jesus is not afraid to be associated with or love people with problems, even problems that scare the rest of society away.  Like Father Damien and Mother Teresa, Jesus hung out with lepers.  He counted a tax collector as a disciples.  He turned one of His greatest persecutors into one of His greatest missionaries.  He didn't care what society thought about these people, He just LOVED them.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

So here's the question that smacked me in the face this morning: Why isn't church like that?

A church is supposed to be filled with Christians, and Christians are professed followers of Christ.  So why don't we act like the Man we claim to follow?  Instead, we gather inside our buildings each week and invite others to come join us, if...

• If you dress the right way
• If you look proper
• If you will abide by "the rules"
• If....If...If

There are "progressive" or "new" churches that have sprung up out of the "old" churches.  They want to focus on Jesus and His message, but maybe in a more alternative way (drums & guitars instead of organs & pianos, jeans instead of suits, etc.).  They invite people who have been turned off by church to come back, to belong again, if...

• If you like being different no matter what
• If you like what we like, the way we like it
• If you do things the way we do it
• If...If...If...

But regardless of the church, "new" or "old" the bottom line is still the same.  If you don't fit in the mold, you should go elsewhere.

I don't recall Jesus inviting people to come to Him with an "IF" clause.  Jesus said, "Come to me, ALL..."

All: The whole number of

And now for the hard part.  What do we do about it?  How do we take our church from an "IF" church to an "ALL" church?  A "come back in nice clothes" church to a "we're glad you're here" church.  A "like how we do it or go someplace else" church to a "how can we serve you" church?

Those are tough questions, I know.  But Jesus didn't promise following Him would be easy, He promised it would be rewarding.

What do you think?