Grace — Week 2 – Wednesday
TODAY’S VERSE
John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (ESV)
Some of you reading this have been a part of this church for decades. I’m glad you’re here.
Some of you have only been here for a couple of weeks, maybe even days. I’m glad you’re here as well.
My parents started attending Southland in the mid ’90s, which means I’m old enough to have seen a lot of this church’s history, but young enough to have missed a lot of it, too. Chatting with an older mentor of mine, I found myself soaking up his old stories like a sponge.
“We had a church meeting once just because some people didn’t like the music!” he laughed, reflecting on a season of new leadership here at Southland. “I didn’t always like the music, either. But we were leading so many new folks to Jesus… so many were getting baptized… clearly it was attracting new people!” He smiled. Knowing there was more to the story, I let him finish.
“Then one guy got angry and yelled, ‘I think this church is attracting the wrong kinds of people!’ and walked out. I couldn’t believe he said that...”
Don’t get me wrong, we all have our preferences when it comes to the kinds of things we see in church. But when we start having preferences on the kinds of people we see—and the kinds of people we’d rather keep out—our hearts have a serious problem.
So, let me ask you a difficult question, but one that’s definitely still worth asking: Who is it?
Who is it that makes you think of the Gospel and say, “This isn’t for them. They don’t belong. They’re the wrong kind of person to know Jesus…”
Is it your annoying boss? Your unfaithful ex-husband? The woke liberal? The MAGA conservative? That racist cop? That illegal immigrant? That former business partner you made a bad deal with?
Who is it you’re still trying to condemn for the way they live or what they’ve done and ultimately keep out of God’s family? Because according to Scripture, that’s the opposite of what our Savior Jesus came to do.
As someone who’s been a part of this church for a while now, I’ve seen a lot of different changes. But I’ve also seen a lot of different people give their lives to Jesus. Because thankfully, this church has always recognized that Jesus came for everyone.
All that to say, whoever you are—I’m glad you’re here. Because Jesus came for you, too.
APPLICATION
Is there someone in your life you’ve been trying to condemn? How can you make an intentional move towards that person with the love of Jesus this week?
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for not condemning us. Give us a heart that genuinely wants others to know You, no matter who they are.
