Luke 7:44-50
Our previous church had many outreach programs and mission projects that members could support or be involved with. But there was also a woman – a member of the church, but not well known – who had started her own ministry outside the church selling used books to raise money to help needy children. The question came up – should the church support this since it is not a program of the church?
As we continue in the encounter with the sinful woman, we have seen that Jesus has accepted her in spite of her sins. What does he point out to his host? What does he say to her? What is the response? How does Jesus clarify the matter?
Of course we were supposed to support the ministry of the woman in the church, even if her idea was not the idea of church leaders. What was important was that service was being done. Good and holy efforts were made to serve God’s kingdom.
Sometimes Christians get caught up in the organization and order of the church, failing to see what goes on outside the walls of the church. Activities conducted outside the congregation may seem foreign to us, and often suspect. But, are we as “good Christians” actually doing any good work, or just sitting in judgment of others?
Although we are sinful we are accepted by Christ, and being accepted we are called to serve the kingdom of God. If we wait until we are good enough to do the work of the Lord we will never do anything. We must act in faith, trusting that we are accepted and forgiven.
And that should be our attitude toward others. We cannot judge them and turn others away. But we should accept them as Christ does, accept them as they are, and invite them to join us in the work of God, or offer to join them in their good work.
DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you accept he work of others without judging them?
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