Description
Embracing Radical Hospitality: Welcoming as Christ Welcomed Us
In this thought-provoking episode, we explore Romans 15:… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
I hope you don’t mind when a meditation is challenging. Because look at this, Romans chapter 15, verse 7. Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you for the glory of God.
On the face of it, this doesn’t look too difficult that we should be welcoming until we get to the bit where Paul says, as Christ welcomed you. Christ welcomes dirty sinners, Christ welcomes scoundrels, Christ welcomes reprobates, Christ welcomes those who have rebelled against him.
How well do we do at welcoming those who have sinned against us, at welcoming those who we think are irredeemable? Christ flung his arms out wide and said to everyone, come, and that’s what he expects us to do, too.
How many of our churches today are full of people who need God and haven’t found Him yet? We should welcome one another in the same way that Christ says, come, come you who have great need of me. I will welcome you into my Father’s kingdom.
We do this for the glory of God, because when we are welcoming sinners, when we are welcoming people that we don’t like, God is glorified.
Can we be that radical, that we will fling open the doors of our churches and our homes and say, whoever you are, I love you and God loves you, so come on in.
Is that challenging? It’s challenging to me. I think we need God’s help with this.
Lord God, you know that our sinful hearts sometimes reject people that you would welcome. Please help us. Please forgive that in us. Please soften our hearts. Please fill us with compassion. Compassion for all. The lost, the hurting, those still stuck in sin and darkness. And may we be your ambassadors for the gospel, showing hospitality to all. For your glory, God. Amen.
