Recently, I spoke to a young man who said he stopped going to his mother's church because people knew what he used to do and they frowned upon him when he would come in to the church. I could tell he was very uncomfortable and hurt by what happened...he shook his head and further states "I am not that old person!" When will the "church" see that we are sending more people away from God! Our looks and words could cause someone who is not strong in the Lord to go back to the familiar things in life. We can't continue to look at the outer appearance, when God is looking at the heart.
For some, this would not have been a problem, they would have just blown it off, but for Dirk, it was a problem and the look in his eyes told the story! When the woman who was caught in the very act was brought before Jesus, Jesus without even looking at the accusers said..."He with out sin let him cast the first stone", then he replied to the woman, "where are your accusers, she said, "there is none" and Jesus said "neither do I condemn you go and from now on sin no more" (John 8:7-11)ESV
Romans 2:11 says "For God does not show favoritism" Not only did salvation come to the woman caught in the act, but to the young man, me and you. Sin is what it is and it separates us from God, but don't let religion and our views keep others separated from God.
My prayer for Dirk and others, "Lord, forgive us if we have turned our nose up or frowned at others who have come to the local churches, don't let our emotions, thoughts and words discourage any believer, we believe that you died for all of our sins and through your death we can live again. Thank you for giving us a second chance to get it right! In Jesus Name, Amen!
