The Weekly Encourager – August 5, 2015 – Welcome Sign

A surprising sign was posted near the doors of a church we visited.

“Welcome. Behind these doors you'll discover people who struggle with lying, cheating, envy, greed, sexual impurity, gossiping, back biting, bickering, anger, swaggering, bullying, cruelty, meanness, arrogance, stupidity, impatience, hate, judgment, pride, and even more. We've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives that God wills for us.

“We know we need Christ. If you have discovered that you are like us, broken with contrite hearts desiring forgiveness from sin, people longing for a clean start, then

“Please Come In. For here you will find rest for your weary souls and peace with God. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in the work of Jesus. We discovered out of sheer generosity God put us in right standing with Himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be.”

I was struck by the humility of this message. I was challenged to consider how the welcome at my church compares. Do we give off a vibe that we're pretty good people now that we're saved, or are we willing to admit that we continue to fail? Do we convey an attitude of pride in our particular church or denomination, believing that we have a superior understanding of God's truth, or do we acknowledge that we're all still learning, and that some other group may have much to offer us?

“This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord.” - Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV

What about my personal relationships? Do I give the impression that I am right and others are wrong? Do I pass judgement on others' faith or lack of faith? How about their actions? Am I afraid that showing my weaknesses might be “a bad witness” to the gospel of Jesus Christ? This church sign suggests that showing our real struggles with sin may actually aid the gospel! Christ sought the lost and welcomed sinners. His church is not for the strong, but for the weak who are held up by God's power alone. We are saved by grace, not by works, lest any man should boast. Pride offends God—beware of spiritual pride!

“You are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'” - 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ESV

God is faithful,
j

[Welcome sign seen at Sierra Community Church, 1165 Sierra Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150]