This year we decided to do something a little different on Halloween. In the past, on Halloween, we would either leave our house to go to a church-related “Harvest Party”, or turn off the lights and lock the doors, so we wouldn’t have to deal with the “holiday”. However, this year, we were convicted that we were squandering a golden opportunity to redeem this pagan event and show love to our neighbors. After all, this is the one night of the year, when all our neighbors actually come to us!
So, our Missional Community (the core group for our Church Plant), came over and decorated our garage with orange and black streamers and pumpkins. We grilled up a bunch of hot dogs, and offered dinner for all the Trick-Or-Treaters and their parents, including chips, smores, hot chocolate, coffee, and the best candy we could find. Then, we just enjoyed ourselves as we ate and visited with our neighbors. What a great relationship-building time!
Looking back on my Christian life, I’m a bit ashamed to admit that I’ve had a kind of “fortress” mentality. In order to make sure I didn’t become polluted by the sin around me, I tended to withdraw into my castle, and lift up the drawbridge, so that I could isolate myself from the sin all around me. However, this was not the approach of our Master, Jesus Christ.
Consider how the Scriptures portray Jesus’ posture toward sinners:
“And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.´ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mt.9:10-13)
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1-2)
Jesus loved eating with and receiving sinners, while the Pharisees drew apart from them, dreading the moral defilement they might receive. Who are you most like – Jesus or a Pharisee?
Follow Us!