A Hospital for Sinners

Love Covers a Multitude of Sin.

1 Peter 4:8

It is my belief that the “church” should be many things to all people, but in particular I feel it should be a hospital for sinners. If we all get real, every single one of us struggles with sin in our lives. Whether it is an outward sin that is visible to others, or an inward one that cannot be seen, we are all are guilty and in need of help. I often hear non-churchgoers say they feel unwelcome in the church because they feel they have to clean up their act before stepping though those doors. Why is that? Is the body of Christ not doing all we can to welcome people with loving hearts?

 

As the kingdom calendar draws closer to the return of Christ, the Word tells us in 2 Timothy 3:2-5 that People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, …without love, unforgiving, slanderous . . . and the list goes on. If this is true, how are we, as a body of Christ, helping with these issues? Are we reaching out in love or are we critical and judgmental? The Bible says that love covers a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8). If love covers a multitude of sin, is it not our job as believers to invite these people in and cover them with love and compassion? God’s kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). If you really let that soak in, you will see that it is God’s love and kindness that leads people towards true change, not condemnation and guilt.

My hope is that the body of Christ would truly become a hospital for sinners, inviting inside those who are looking for real heart change. Let’s love people where they are. What a difference we could make sharing Christ’s relentless love with others instead of greeting them with critical judgments.

Lord, help each of us to open our eyes to the hurting people around us. Fill us with Your love and compassion so that when our paths cross a searching soul, we are ready to pour out Your love on her and never condemnation from the enemy. Help us to see others as You see them.

Carrie Wright