Welcoming Arms: Judge Ye Not

I have attended various types of Christian churches over the years, discovered a correlation between all of them. Often as children of God we tend to overlook the one of the main purposes of a congregation. In the very least, it may be unintentional but as human nature will have it, cliques are formed and judgements are preemptively made prior to getting to genuinely know our brothers and sister as we know the word.

A church building is supposed to be a sanctuary; a place where everyone feels at home. What does the word sanctuary mean to you? For me it signifies a place of refuge or a safe haven; where you are at most peace and contentment and nothing can harm you. As per the English dictionary, sanctuary is defined as a sacred or holy place; any place of refuge; asylum.

Church is indeed a sanctuary for many people. Unfortunately, it’s also a place where people are judged far to often by other individuals. We as Christians should always remember that none of us is more worthy than another because we have all sinned. The bible states verbatim: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood —to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished." (Romans 3 23:25 NIV)

Churches are losing sight of why Jesus died for each and everyone of us. We need to all remain focus on the cross, Christ died on the cross and shed his blood for each and everyone of us, there is no greater love than this. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)

Although we set aside a special day for our Saviour, we must remember every day is Gods day, not just Sabbath. It is not acceptable to do what as we wish for six days then on Sabbath we behave more holly as though we can’t mash ants. That kind of behaviour is call Hippocrates.We should strive every day to be the best we can in Christ, yes we may fall, but we get up, brush ourselves off and ask the Almighty for his forgiveness and guidance.  "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God" (Exodus 20:8-10).

Remember no man is an island, as brothers and sister we should strive to uplift one another the way Christ would and love one another. For if it had not been for the Lord, and for prayers on our behalf by loving family members and friends, many of us would be at  the wayside. Let us all be mindful of that we serve a loving unwavering God who never ceases in loving and protecting us even when we do not deserve it.

by Althea Nedd