Clay in the Hands

Yesterday, I talked about the importance of the church being accepting of anyone who comes through the doors realizing that no one is perfect.  One comment I received yesterday was from a friend who said, “Well, I guess you are telling me I can’t come back to church – since I am perfect.”  Ricky, love you brother – I think your safe to come on back. (smile)

As I had my prayer and reading time this morning, I was reading through the first few verses of John chapter 3.  I would venture a guess that anyone in America who has ever watched a professional football game has at least seen the reference to John 3:16.  This is a very foundational verse and one that most people are at least aware of and possibly even read.

But are you familiar with John 3:17?  Here is what it says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  On the heels of the verse that tells us that God loved this world enough to send Jesus here to save it, we see that the plan was not to have Jesus come in and condemn everyone for all they had ever done wrong.  The focus was not on where we have failed, the focus was on saving – verse 16 is clear that this plan was formed out of love.

What pierces me about this verse is that Jesus, the very son of God – the one who had every right to condemn – chose to love instead.  So how can I, a very imperfect human even consider taking the stance of doling out condemnation?  Jesus came and loved people, all people, in spite of our failures and sins.

Notice, it does not say that Jesus dismisses our sins.  In fact, the very reason he came was to save us from our lifestyle of sin – to save us from ourselves.  But this passage shows us that his approach is based in love.

Our task, as Jesus followers, is to reach out to the fallen, the hurting and the sinner (that’s everyone) with love and acceptance.  We are to love and accept the person without accepting the sin.  That is what Jesus came to do and still does today.  As his followers, that is our calling.