Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:7 NIV
The modern church often faces a challenge. We might call it “spiritual amnesia.” We have walked in the light for so long. Consequently, we sometimes forget our past struggles. Indeed, we overlook the confusion, addiction, and brokenness that once defined us. This forgetfulness sometimes leads to setting invisible “standards” for others. We expect unbelievers to act like believers. They need to encounter Christ first. Ultimately, accepting people as they are in church becomes difficult then.
Overcoming “Spiritual Amnesia”
We sometimes judge a person’s lifestyle. Perhaps we see smoking, swearing, or specific dressing. We might think, “They need to clean that up.” However, this thinking is backward. You do not tell a sick person to get healthy. Instead, they go to the hospital for care. Likewise, a drowning person does not need to dry off. They need a lifeboat first. The church serves as a hospital for the hurting. It is not a museum for those already perfect.
Embracing People as They Are in Church
God’s Kingdom thrives on “raw materials.” Peter, for example, had a temper and a foul mouth. Mary Magdalene carried a past of which people whispered. Matthew worked as a despised tax collector. Certainly, Jesus did not wait for them to “polish” themselves. Indeed, He called them directly in their mess.
Therefore, we must be ready to receive everyone. This involves accepting people as they are in church, embracing them “raw.” If someone enters our church looking worldly and talking culturally, our response should be joy. Their presence means they are within earshot of the Gospel message and closer to experiencing Christ’s love. Demanding behaviour change before they meet the Saviour asks them to perform the Holy Spirit’s work without His power.
Our Role: Love, Not Cleanse
We often confuse our job with God’s. Our role involves loving, welcoming, and witnessing. We create an environment where grace is evident. Meanwhile, God convicts, converts, and changes hearts. Ultimately, we are just fishers catching fish, and God is the one who cleans them.
When we try to “clean” people with our rules and judgment, we usually drive them away. Transformation truly happens from the inside out. When people encounter Jesus without our judgment, His love performs the heavy lifting. He takes charge of their heart first. Consequently, their habits will naturally follow.
Let us therefore remove the invisible barriers around our sanctuaries. Stop judging by tattoos, clothes, or piercings. God always looks at the heart. Please don’t feel offended by a lost person’s vocabulary. They speak the language of their world. Instead, speak the language of love back to them. Let them see Jesus in you, not a judge.
Living It Out
Let us therefore dismantle any “spiritual amnesia.” Remember your own journey to grace. Embrace accepting people as they are in church. Trust God alone to transform hearts. He will change their habits. Show radical love and acceptance today. Be a good ambassador of Christ.