I want to encourage you to walk across the street and meet someone new. Make a friend. Expose yourself. Make yourself vulnerable. Humble yourself. Place others ahead of you. Meet their needs ahead of your own. Why would I suggest a thing? In hopes of sharing the message of a living faith, that is Jesus Christ. Earn their respect and trust, while modeling for them a changed life in Christ Jesus. In a world that is focused on self and ego, do the opposite. Love them. Bring to the table: encouragement, acceptance, redemption, forgiveness. I believe that this is what Christ did when He chose to eat a meal with them. When He chose to carry on conversations that religious leaders chose to not engage. Christ met a basic human need: acceptance. He did not leave them in their sin, but lovingly pointed them to the Gospel in hopes of redemption. Forgiveness of sin.
It seems today that we are facing two options: resign them to hell or love them to hell. Yet, we have a third option, the one that Christ gave us. Love them enough to teach the truth. I say we, the church, ought to take up the mantle that Christ gave us and love them enough to teach the truth. It may not be popular. It may not be acceptable to society standards. It may go against the political correctness model, but it is the way that Christ lived.
So the next time you encounter one of the many forgotten by society or church, speak kind words. Offer a cup of cold water. Offer a set of clothes. Offer a warm meal. Offer your friendship. You may just be surprised that a smile will often be treated with a smile. All the while gaining trust to share the greatest message: Christ loved you enough to die on a cross. I believe that is a message worth sharing, no matter how difficult to gain an audience.
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