Last week our Pastor was telling us about a program he saw on TBN, and he said it moved him so much, and it wasn’t preaching from a great Pastor, or a great testimony of healing, or what you might expect. He told us it was an interview done with Steve Harvey, and it was a wakeup call to the church. So Daryle and I came home, watched it and it brought tears to my eyes. He was hurting and in pain because he felt like he was rejected by the church because of who he is. Because of his comedy and some of the things he talks about. He talked about how yes he might say things that are off the wall, and his is publicized for everyone to see, but who are we to judge him because we say off the wall things within our own houses and there is no one around to hear them. And that is so true, often times we get so caught up in religion and trying to play holy that we put ourselves above others, we reject those whose hearts are crying out for God because they might dress provocatively, or they might use profanity, or they might deal drugs, etc. Church let me pose you a question…Who are the type of people that Jesus went after…tax collectors, thieves, prostitutes, etc. and who slammed him for doing it?
The answer is…the Pharisees, the religious people, the church going folks.
Matthew 9:10-13 (NLT)
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”
12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Is that who we have become church? Have we become like the Pharisees, all high and mighty, the same as those who persecuted Jesus. When we persecute someone who is on the street selling themselves, it is as if we are persecuting Jesus Himself, for He said He came to seek and save the lost, He died for all of us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).
There are people everywhere that need the love of God. They need to feel accepted and cared for, didn’t you need the same thing before you were saved, or have you forgotten where you came from? The fact that you used to be out there doing some crazy stuff or you used to be a liar and a gossip, or you used to be hooked on drugs and/or alcohol, etc. We know when we are saved that old man died, but we can’t get ourselves so far from the remembrance of it, that we condemn others who are just like we used to be.
I’m not trying to sound harsh people of God; I’m just trying to wake people up. It’s time to start loving all people. It’s time to start being what we were called to be…the light (Matthew 5:14). All the world sees is darkness and they are searching desperately for a light, but if we hide our light because we are too good for certain people, then they will continue to wander in the darkness.
Start in your workplace with that coworker that is just plain mean all the time. Start saying hi to them when you come in, ask them how they are doing. We don’t always have to come at somebody saying Jesus is the way or else. Use wisdom in approaching people, God will give you the words to speak to them. Start out on the road driving, let someone merge in front of you. Give a friendly wave when someone let’s you in. Pay the toll of the car behind you. You never know what your acts of kindness can do for someone. When you are walking down the street it’s ok to speak to people, say hi, and give a smile and a nod. Do something, we are not robots, and we are not meant to blend in to the crowd. Stand out in a good way, so that they may see your good works and glorify the Father (Matthew 5:16). Give someone that you know might be going through something a hug and an encouraging word, just letting them know someone cares. I know we are in the midst of an economic downfall, so what, that does not affect us as believers, give to someone today that may have a need. Volunteer somewhere; get involved in a ministry at your church that reaches out side of the church to help the community.
It’s time to step up people of God. The Father is waiting for us to stand out; for the church to rise up; for the body to come together. We can do it! We can begin to put selfishness and fear aside, and love, and give to others. We can draw them into the Kingdom with love, with the light in us, Just as Jesus did in the above scripture (Matthew 9:10-13) with Matthew, look how quickly he followed Jesus. People that are lost out there will follow because they are all searching for something with meaning, something with purpose, something with hope, something with love. If only some of us will slow down and take the time, if others will step out of our comfort zone, and others will get off of their high horse, then we will see a harvest into the Kingdom that the world has never seen before.
I pray this has been a blessing on your life.
Tracy Houston
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org
No comments:
Post a Comment