Has The Church Forgotten The Mission

Here's something I am struggling with lately...why is it that we, THE CHURCH, encourage non-believers to come join us on Sunday mornings because they will find love and acceptance right where they are in their lives. Yet when someone "IN THE CHURCH", already a member of the body, fails...falls short....makes a mistake...struggles, we "shun" them? Isn't the House of the Lord suppose to be a place for those who need a Savior? A place for the spiritually ill and heart broken? Or has it become a "club" a place for only those who have "made it"? It is so heavy on my heart these days because I have heard more and more stories of late where a church member has gone through a trial of difficulty in their live/walk with Christ and their church family has basically told them to go elsewhere to avoid the embarrassment. I don't understand.

Last night I was awake until almost sunrise.  Reading God's Word and no where in it did I find where Jesus condemned those He ministered to.  What I found was that Jesus went about "doing good", healing the sick and the wounded.  Encouraging the broken-hearted.  Always pointing them back toward the Father.

Is there anyone on this earth that believes, truly believes, that they are not a sinner anymore?  That because they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior they no longer are a target for the enemy's temptation?  They have it all figured out and now they can sit in judgement of those of us who do not?

I am in no way suggesting that "the church" needs to take a soft stance on sin and overlook it when a member of the body has failed.  But I am suggesting that we try and work with them to a place of repentance, healing and restoration.  Don't just say to them, "Sorry that happened, but we cannot allow you to be a part of this ministry any longer.  We will be praying for you."  If they continually ignore the teaching and refuse to repent then perhaps some stronger action must be taken, but let's remember, how many times does an addict relapse before they truly are clean?  How many times did Jesus tell us we must forgive?  For what sins did Christ die on that cross...only some, or all?  For whom, did Christ come?  For some, or all? 

God is love.  He is to judge.  Him only.

I want to be a Christian...a "follower of Christ".  Radical about my love for His people and for Him.  I do not simply want to be a "member in good standing" following rules and the law.  I want to be an extension of God's love, mercy, grace and forgiveness.  For I want to be what it is that I need...a sinner in need of a Savior.  A sinner that has been forgiven and is going forward and not backwards.  A sinner that knows I will never truly "arrive" until I "arrive in heaven at His feet"!!!

If I am wrong, then I pray the Lord changes my heart on these things.  If I am right then I pray the Lord allows me the opportunity to reach others with the message of HIS SAVING GRACE!  Let us be reminded that as "christians" we are not great...we are only greatly forgiven.

 

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.  JOHN 3:17