Being Mindful

We as Christians, nor as the church, to expect anyone else, that is outside of Christ, to look like, talk like, or act like Jesus. That is simple for us to understand. What is sometimes hard to understand and what we all to often fail to realize is that we do not have the right to expect them to even look, talk, or act like us either. They are outside the veil. They don't know what they don't know. Yet, we get caught in this trap when we encounter them and begin judging their character by our own when ours isn't even good enough when compared to Jesus. We also fail to see that when such people come into our doors, seeking something – that they are sinners just like we are. They are lost just as we are and sometimes are still. They need love just as we do. They need grace and forgiveness just as we do. They need Jesus just as we do. Our response to them coming into the church house should be one of a desire to see them comfortable, loved, welcomed, at ease, having their needs met. We should desire as Paul did, to do anything and everything, that by all means, some might be saved. Our response should never be, and shame on us if it is ever, to expect something of someone that doesn't know or understand. Paul understood this when he fought with Peter, James, and John concerning circumcision of non-Jews. Lets examine our hearts and minds towards those not like us.