Jesus was all about including people, not excluding them.
Our fleshly society teaches us to label others. Categorizing others creates distance and gives a convenient exit strategy for avoiding involvement.
Labeling even occurs in our churches. Jesus intends for churches to be a place where people come in and find renewed life, not just go through the motions. A place of community, not clicks. A place where healing starts, not departs. Where ordinary people are sent out as missionaries to the world, not missionaries to a click. Where families are strengthened, not destroyed. Where we feed the poor, not just ourselves. A place that reaches out instead of closing in. But most of all a place where they will know us by our love, not a label. Sometimes I struggle with the love we fail to show, not just in our churches, but everywhere. The things we say that are political and not necessarily scriptural. The times we say a loud amen to sins that we weigh as heavier than others. The times we fail to see our own shortcomings as sin that is just as grievous, and covered in the same mercy.
What can we do about it? Stop labeling! Remember, Jesus was all about including people, not excluding them. Not to see them as Gentiles or Jews, insiders or outsiders, liberals or conservatives. Let's view them as we view ourselves. Blemished, perhaps. Unfinished, for certain.
We can choose to label them or love them. We know Jesus' choice. Just look at what He did with us.
And let us never forget that salvation glorifies the Savior, not the saved.
"Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked. - Corinthians 13:5
"As we have opportunity, let us do good to all. - Galatians 6:10
Blessings,
Dalinda
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