I remember years ago that I was at a youth rally at a church out of town. While there an older intoxicated man walked up to the church. He said, “Can I come in here?” To which we replied, “Absolutely.” This is where he belonged. It didn’t matter that he was intoxicated, he wasn’t dressed for the occasion, or that he didn’t smell good. None of that mattered, his soul did.
To the outsider, come as you are. Don’t be afraid, we as the church are like a hospital for the hurting. You don’t avoid the hospital because you’re too sick or too hurt. No, you usually go to the hospital when you’re at your worst. In the same way, don’t avoid going to church until you get it all together. You don’t get good to get God, you get God to get good.
Matthew 11:28 BBE Come to me, all you who are troubled and weighted down with care, and I will give you rest.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 ISV 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth fully.
To the saint, the faithful church attende don’t forget where we came from. Don’t forget our stench of sin. Don’t forget how much Jesus forgave us. Don’t forget why we’re here. The soul that comes to church may not dress like us, they may not talk like us, they may not smell like us. Their car may backfire, it may leak oil in the parking lot. Their kids may be loud and may misbehave. But they are a soul and that is eternal. The church building is temporary, the parking lot is temporary. The soul is not. Hurting people need the church at its best. Though we meet in a building that we call church, the building is not the church, we are. Don’t forget why we’re here, to help people find Jesus and have a relationship with Him. Let’s be the church and reach the lost.
Colossians 4:5-6 NET 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.
Jude 1:22 ISV Show mercy to those who have doubts.