Welcoming Others Home
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."1
The church should be a place where we find strength and companions for our faith journey, but we cannot forget those outside the congregation. They, too, need to know about the Lord Jesus and experience His extraordinary love.
First Peter 2:4-10 is a wonderful passage that explains who we are in Christ. We are the "living stones" of his church, "a holy nation" gathered by the One who "called us out of darkness into his marvelous light." At times, we may be tempted to close ranks against the world, to think of life as an "us versus them" situation. However, Peter clearly tells us that this is not true. "You were not even a people before, but now you are God's people" (1 Peter 2:10).
Our Heavenly Father did not close the door of the church the moment we walked through it. He did not proclaim that the church was full and forbid new members from entering. Far from it, every day "living stones" are added throughout this great and beautiful world of ours, and it is our privilege to welcome them home. So let's make our churches warm and welcoming, places where people feel safe and respected, and where God's love abounds.
Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that we have churches where we can gather and find strength and companions for our faith journey. I ask you, Lord, to help us to be a light within the church and outside the church, in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, wherever we are, to be that light that cannot be hidden. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
1. Matthew 5:14-16 (NVI).
Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.