Welcome as You Have Been Welcomed

David Wiggs tells this story:

I saw him in the church building for the first time on
Wednesday. He was in his mid-70's with thinning silver hair and a neat brown suit. Many
times in the past I had invited him to come. Several other Christian friends had talked to
him about the Lord and had tried to share the good news with him. He was well
respected, honest, a man of good character. He acted much like a Christian would act,
but he never came to church or professed faith in Christ.

After I got to know him a bit, I asked if he had ever been to a church service. He
hesitated. Then with a twisted grimace he told me of an experience he had as a boy. He
was raised in a large family. His parents worked hard but struggled to provide adequate
food and clothing for the family. When he was around ten years old a friend invited him
to go to church with him. He went and thought the Sunday School class was great. The
songs were fun to sing and the great Bible stories, were exciting to hear. He had never
heard anyone read from the Bible before. As class ended the teacher pulled him aside
and said, "Son, please don't come again dressed as you are now. We want to look our
best when we come into God's house." He looked down at his old hand me down blue
jeans that were certainly worn and tattered. He thought about that for a moment and
said softly, "No ma'am I won't ever." Then he looked at me and said, "And you know
what. I never did." It was clear that he was done with that conversation.

It was last Wednesday that I saw him in the church building for the first time. I cried as I
looked at the immaculately dressed old gentleman lying there in his casket. He was
looking his best. But all I could think of were those words of an impressionable little ten-
year-old boy echoing in my mind, "No ma'am I won't ever."

Friends, this story reminds me of how important it is that we reach out to others and
welcome them in the name of Jesus. The Sunday School teacher probably had good
intentions when she encouraged that little boy to “dress his best” for church, but her
words wounded him terribly. If only she had put her arms around the dirty little boy in
the ragged jeans and said, "Son, I am thrilled that you came this morning and I hope
you will come every chance you get to hear more about Jesus because he loves you so
much." It would have been even better if she would have consulted with her Pastor or
Christian friends and figured out a way to provide financial help for this needy family. We
all need to remember what the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 15:7, “Therefore
welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” In other words,
those of us who, through faith in Jesus, have experienced God’s amazing grace, have
every reason to show grace, love, and respect to others, especially to those who clearly
lacking these things in their lives. Whether we are at home, school, work or church,
may the Lord help us to welcome others, as He has welcomed us.