Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them." He told them this parable: "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. Luke 15:1'7 WEB.

I could hardly contain my excitement as we headed to the church. I was zealous for Jesus, and I had been sharing my faith with a friend at work for several weeks. He finally agreed to come to church with me. As far as I know, he had never been to church before. This was his first visit. I guess I was young and naive about how arrogant people can be when it comes to religion.

My friend and I were both musicians, but he actually looked like one while I was clean-cut. He had really long hair in a spiral perm like most rock and roll drummers did in the 80s, as well as a few tattoos. On the inside, He was a gentle-spirited, good-hearted guy who would give you the shirt off his back if it would help you.

The church that I attended had been having revival meetings all week. The preacher had brought a solid message about Jesus every night. He spoke on love and mercy, forgiveness, heaven and hell. The works. Then he followed it with a powerful altar call. The turnouts and conversions had been outstanding. I wanted my friend to hear the message about Jesus as distraction-free as possible, so we arrived at church early. I found us some seats on the front row, and we settled in to listen.

When the preacher walked onto the stage and saw my long-haired friend sitting on the front row, his countenance transformed from Jekyll to Hyde. His message suddenly changed from how Jesus came to seek and save the lost to how shameful it is for a man to have long hair. He yelled his way through the sermon and beat his bible with a red face while staring directly at us with what appeared to be contempt. It was as if I had placed a pile of moist dung on that seat in the front row, instead of a dear friend.

As the church filled with shouts of "Amen, Brother! Preach it!" I began to feel sick. I sank lower and lower in my seat as the service went on. My excitement was gradually replaced with disgust. I slowly realized that they only wanted to share the good news of Jesus amongst themselves, and they glared at me for bringing a sinner into their sacred gathering.

We crawled out of that church in shame. But the shame I felt was because I had brought my friend to such a sinful place. I attend a different church today, and I don't know if my friend ever went to church again. He stopped talking to me, and we finally lost touch.

That church was nothing more than a members-only social club. Their bouncers were called ushers. Their membership fee was collected with offering plates, and they had a strict dress code. All new memberships were by invitation only and had to be approved.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. We should welcome them just as they are. Until they come to know Jesus, you can keep the commandments for your Bible study, for they don't apply to the lost. It is not the outside of us that matters anyway, but the inside (Matthew 23:27).

It is a religious spirit that rejects the lost, never the Holy Spirit. Jesus ate and drank with the sinners, while the religious Pharisees stood outside and watched. If we exile the lost and hurting who try and come to us, we have become nothing more than a social club.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please let me see the world through Your eyes. Help me recognize the good that You have placed in people and value them as You do. Please don't let me ever drive someone away from You. Instead, use me to bring them to You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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