Spiritual Snobbery

We live in a society that is searching, desperately searching for some form of acceptance for someone somewhere to tell them that they're loved, that they're enough. This should be a time that our churches are shining, being a beacon of love and light out of the spiritual darkness that seems to have enveloped our world. Yet we're not, at least not on a large enough scale. Why? When did "For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son so than none may perish but have everlasting life" (poorly paraphrased, I know) Turn into God loving only those in the world that dress right, talk right behave right, etc... When did our churches become such spiritual snobs?  We see someone soaking in sin and rather than run to them, we not only turn from them, but we turn them away! God ran to us, did you know that? Look at the Parable of the prodigal son, after spending time in the filth of sin he returned home and the Father ran to great His son. That parable is about us, and our Heavenly Father. He runs to us, no matter what we've been covered in, no matter the stench of our sin. He ran to us and He opened His arms without hesitation.) Since when do we have the right to look at any child of God and see anything other than His creation? 

I know, "Not my church" no one wants to admit that they or those around them would fall into anything other than absolute perfection. Lets be honest, that's what we seem to expect in our churches, if you want to worship with us and pray with us, please have your life in order first. If you come dressed other than the way we dress, or if you speak more roughly or completely different than what we speak than you'll be treated as an outsider.  I don't exclude myself from this tirade, I'm among the worst of them. I know when I see someone so unlike what I expect they ought to be I pull away. If they don't measure up I don't follow up, and its to my shame. What hurt we (and I ) must cause God by turning away from those He loves!

It seems to me that when we're faced with those in the throes of sin, who look to be the worst of humanity, we ought to be running to them, we ought to be embracing them, befriending them for the sake of the King and Kingdom! God loves them, is that not enough for us to love them too? If He's deemed them to be lovable why do we turn our noses up? Are we so much wiser than God that we know more than Him who is deserving of His (and our) love? 

So what's the answer to all of this? 
Ephesians 4:2 "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love."

We bear with them in love, we make an allowance that they'll have faults, that we will have faults, and we bear with them through it. We give patience and love, no matter the subject.

Can you imagine the state of our churches if that came into full effect? That people would walk in a room and know that they aren't expected to be perfect, that they're going to find love and acceptance. (I'm not saying we should just completely accept sin and embrace sin, but we also can't turn our nose up at it either and simply allow others to wallow in it. Maybe if people see us loving them at their worst they'll be willing to stick around till they reach their best?)

The rumors.....

Oh the rumors, the joys of having these little tidbits float around through our congregations and communities. Were you aware that we (My Pastor husband and I) were leaving the church to become full time farmers? We didn't know either till a few weeks back when it finally got back to us! Never mind that neither of us has farmed in our lives, or that our garden barely produces a live plant.

These silly little needless accusations and stories drive me up the wall, why is it that we (as Christians, and I'm counting myself here) can point the finger repeatedly at those around us who are "living in sin" yet fail to see our own sinfulness, even when it's brought to light? Why do we choose to defend our behavior rather than acknowledge a weakness and strive through the Father's help to better ourselves?

Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 1.Haughty eyes, 2. a lying tongue, And 3. hands that shed innocent blood, 4. A heart that devises wicked plans, 5. Feet that run rapidly to evil, 6. A false witness who utters lies, And 7. one who spreads strife among brothers.

Matthew 15:19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders

We're happy to pound the pavement and protest the Murders (abortion protests anyone?) or fornications (gay marriage debates/protests), yet while we're point fingers at all others who have sin we fail to include ourselves in the group.

We know that all sin will lead to eternal damnation, we know that there aren't really "level's of sin" if we sin, its sin, no trying to make ourselves seem better by down playing our sin! So why do we so willingly look the other way for one of our own? Why do we allow the gossipers to flourish, the false witnesses to continue speaking, and the slanders to continue on? Are they not in just as much danger of hell as those who don't profess to be Christians?