THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 11:45-54
“You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” (Luke 11:52)
What a sad commentary on the church then, and now.
The church – God’s family – was and is blessed to be a blessing.
We are welcomed by grace, and are to welcome others by that same grace.
Too often God’s people have hindered the struggling and seeking.
The history of the church is filled with many sad and horrible moments.
People have been judged, shamed, abused, pressured, shunned, killed.
By their actions, many ‘witnesses’ showed they did not truly know God’s grace.
These words may hurt our feelings (v.45), but they need to be heard.
Am I helping or hindering people from knowing God’s grace in Jesus?
“In every way… make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” (Titus 2:10)
Do I make it hard or easy for others to believe in Jesus?
Do people see me and feel drawn to Jesus, or repulsed by Him?
Am I critical, negative, dour, or spiritually unattractive?
Have I entered the grace of God, so that it shows through me to others?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for standing in the way of others knowing and experiencing You. May we as Your church be attractive, not repulsive, for You!