My fattest regret is not the nature of sin – inherited
It is not ignorance that cost me so much good
It is not penalties of my failures and foolishness
It is not inestimable losses of all that could have been
Missed by all that I should have known and done
It is not the things they said and did to me – unfair
It is not what I did because of what I know
It is the very things I failed to do
Because I should have known better.
I came home one day to learn my sister had visited a neighbor whose family had a blemished reputation. Apart from the fact that their house was rented for them by a top married politician that one of the sisters was going out with, the girls’ lifestyle was not a secret and were therefore avoided by the residents. They had severally attempted to get friendly with my family especially me without success. I could never look past the label they bore – immoral, forbidden, so the unspoken rule was keep off. To my horror, I learned one day that my sister had not only been friendly, she welcomed them into our house and returned their visit.
Anathema! How could she? Like Cornelius, I couldn’t imagine what fellowship light and darkness would share for goodness sake! In this house – how could she bring them here? How could she have entered that ungodly house? It was not enough addressing my sister on how absolutely obnoxious that was, I took her along to their house and let them clearly understand that association with them is not acceptable and should not be repeated: we can’t be friends with you – simple and short.
How did that make me feel? As a believer striving toward holiness, I felt my holy anger was justified, and satisfied despite the disappointment of my sister’s error of judgment. At least, I was taking steps to show her the right way, teach her to do the right thing even if it appeared unpleasant. Not once did I respond to their greetings. Not once did I invite them to church. Not once did I share the gospel with them. That was how precious souls God had brought my way were thrust out in defense of religion: they were worldly, unworthy of my love, my care, my time, and my friendship.
Thus have many of us become so comfortable in righteousness that we now stand at the door, judging instead of loving. So have countless souls been sent to hell and we neither knew nor cared. That was me a very long time ago, before I divorced religion in my quest to be like Christ. That same me, as Pastor of a sisters’ fellowship at the time would go out with my group, wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with “Say No to Prostitution” in front and “Say No to Abortion,” behind, to where prostitutes hang out at night to win their souls. Guess what? All they needed to see was the holy bunch marching toward them with our cute bibles to turn the other way.
Despising those God had placed so close to me in my neighborhood and even given me favor in their sight, I was striving to win those out in the alleys. Can you imagine what difference my attention, kindness, invitation, would have made in the lives of those neighbors who so admired me and my family? But for the grace of God! Because I see God’s hands ordering my life, I nurture no regrets over anything but this is one thing that whenever I recall, I wonder as I ponder the grace of God. I am who I am today because God’s mercy and grace broke the shackles of religion in my life so I can truly learn and live like Christ. Now, I strive to know what Christ would do in every given situation and to do likewise irrespective of who is involved and that has made my life count for God. That has enabled me to see every life as precious and valuable, to reach even those considered unreachable with God’s love.
What would Jesus have done if He were in my place in that neighborhood? Exactly what He did with the woman by the well; just like He treated the woman that came to Him in Cornelius house: He served love not judgment which gave them the chance to reach for what they truly needed. Exactly what He did with the lady caught in the very act of adultery; the same thing He did to every sinner that came His way: with eternal love He embraced those we turn out. He didn’t justify what they did. He didn’t condemn them either. He was Light shining in their darkness, unfazed by their lifestyles, reflecting the Father’s love in truth and in deed. He was the pointer in their world, lighting up the way, the truth, and the life. He didn’t force anybody. He didn’t write off anyone. He didn’t decide for anybody. Instead, He allowed them close enough to see truth, He allowed them the chance to choose right, and not one person who encountered Him chose contrary.
The truth we all need to face is that the world will not be won by condemnation of their deeds, whether they know or are ignorant. I see people on social media, sharing hateful things in condemnation of whoever posted it, not realizing that they are rather giving wings to that very thing to go farther and be seen by those who didn’t see the initial post. Hate saves no soul. Religion will only make things worse than they already are. Jesus hated sin but not sinners and to each, He reached consistently with compassion. His name still rings a bell and will continue for all eternity because He did not follow the order of the day: He sought God’s way and followed it to the end and by so doing, crossed boundaries in winning souls, far and near. If we will win the world, it will be in love, the way Christ taught us, the way He lived. It will not be by what we do in the church but by taking the church out there and living it day by day. It will be by the light in us that shines out in the dark for the world to see what is good and right and true.
A city set on a hill is not meant for hiding. The city is set in such strategic position to shine so it can be seen, far and wide. We are where we are today not to judge and run the world. Our duty is not to win the world. We are called as light; we are here to shine; we are called as salt; we are here to preserve; we are called to love like Christ would and that charity must begin, not in Church, not on a mission field, not on a crusade stage: right where we are, with those closest to us. May grace help us stand where we are planted and shine for all to see the goodness of our glorious God, amen.
Glory!