There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
–Galatians 3:28
I don’t know if you have seen the great new film, “Jesus Revolution” yet, but if you have not I highly encourage you to do so. It recreates one of my favorite acts of evangelism ever. Calvary Chapel, pastored by Chuck Smith, was growing among the young street kids and hippies of Southern California. They had long hair, were dirty, and never really wore shoes. But they were just flocking to the church.
One day, the church decided to put some fancy shag carpeting in their sanctuary. And the first time those kids came in, they tracked dirt all over that brand new carpet. The church elders were furious, and demanded a sign be put up in the foyer that said, “No dirty feet allowed.”
The next Sunday, the head elder walked into the building for the Sunday service. He was shocked to see the sign had been taken down and Chuck Smith, the pastor, was on his knees with a bowl of water and a towel washing those kids’ feet before they entered the sanctuary.
What does it really mean to love your neighbor? It doesn’t just mean accepting those who live near you and look like you. No, it’s receiving people into the body of Christ who look, act, and think differently from you with open arms. Don’t let your church become a country club. Let it be a place where people from all walks of life are welcomed to partake in the grace of God!
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR BY WELCOMING PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST!
