Welcome Mat

Our business men’s group recently reviewed a tough teaching concerning showing favoritism. We used part of a sermon from Francis Chan to kick it off and we covered James 2:1-13;

1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,"[a] you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, "Do not commit adultery,"[b] also said, "Do not murder."[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

This really caused us to stop and think. I began to ask myself is my welcome mat out? In fact in our Churches is our welcome mat out or do we show favoritism? It brought to mind Luke 15:1-2;

1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

Can you see the example that Christ set? He welcomes sinners and eats with them. It seems so obvious, yet can be so hard. As Christians should we offer places of unconditional acceptance; a place of love, family and hope? This reminds me of a story a friend’s pastor told a story to which I have certainly embellished.

Once upon a time there was a fine Church in a fine city. Sunday service was truly a time of worship. The congregation would gather, truly a Church family. One Sunday as the sermon was about to begin, a stranger walks in. He is dressed so differently, with leather pants, jacket and chains. He was wearing a bandanna and proceeded to walk down to the first row (you know the empty one) and sat right in front of the preacher.

Now the preacher notices this man and notices the whispers in the congregation. However, after the sermon the man disappears quickly. Some of the longstanding members of the congregation stopped the preacher to express a little concern over the appearance of the visitor, but there was little to do; probably just a man passing through town.

The next Sunday, the stranger appears again and sits once again in the front row. The preacher can see the stares and whispers. After the sermon, he makes a point to find this man. He tells him how truly glad they are that he found this Church and how welcome he was. He goes on to say that while they are truly happy he is worshipping with them; their Church is a little more conservative and tries to put on their Sunday best for worship. The man looks confused and the preacher advises him to go home and pray about what God would have him wear to Church.

The next Sunday comes and the stranger appears wearing exactly the same thing he always had. The congregation again is staring and the whispers become louder. The preacher is a little more concerned and after the sermon corners the man. He says to the stranger, “I thought you were going to ask God what He would have you wear to our Church”. The stranger answered, “I did”. There was a pause and the preacher finally asked, “Well what did He say?” The stranger hesitated and then humbly said, “He said He didn’t know because He had never been in your Church”.

Humorous? Perhaps, but what a lesson. Friends, is our welcome mat out? Better yet are we out seeking; are we stepping out in faith; outside of our comfort zone to develop relationships?

God, may we all put out the welcome mat of Christ; may we all seek the lost and the lonely; all to your Glory!

Grace and Peace!