A
beautifying project on the main road of my town prompted the demolition of a
church built in the 1930s. Although the windows of the empty church had been
removed, the doors remained in place for several days, even as bulldozers began
knocking down walls. Each set of doors around the church building held a
message written in giant, fluorescent-orange block letters: KEEP OUT!
Unfortunately,
some churches whose doors are open convey that same message to visitors whose
appearance doesn’t measure up to their standards. No fluorescent, giant-size
letters needed. With a single disapproving glance, some people communicate:
“You’re Not Welcome Here!”
How
people look on the outside, of course, is not an indicator of what is in their
hearts. God’s focus is on the inner life of people. He looks far below the
surface of someone’s appearance (1 Sam. 16:7) and that’s what He desires for us
to do as well. He also knows the hearts of those who appear to be “righteous”
but are “full of hypocrisy” on the inside (Matt. 23:28).
God’s
message of welcome, which we are to show to others, is clear. He says to all
who seek Him: “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” (Isa. 55:1).
No one
will know what you mean when you say, “God is love”—unless you show it. (RBC)
