Do you show favoritism? Jesus didn't. He hung out with the sinners, the lepers, the lowly, the crippled, the poor, the tired, the uneducated, the despised, the rejects of society. Why shouldn't we?
I once heard a pastor say that he does not follow up with visitors to his church who don't fit into his target demographic. WHAT????
But another pastor, who made it his mission to knock on EVERY door in his community, came to a house that was little more than a run-down shack. He almost passed by, attempting to convince himself that no one lived there, but the Holy Spirit said, "Knock." (Go out into the highways and byways) An old woman dressed in dirty, worn-out clothes answered the door. She was not a Christian and he shared with her the FACT that Jesus loved her and wants to save her.
He invited her to visit his church. She CAME! She came the next Sunday as well, perhaps because no one ever showed her any attention or unconditional love. In fact, it was clear to all that she could give nothing to the church. The next Sunday, she accepted Christ and told the pastor that she wanted HIM to baptize her. He did that Thursday night with a great celebration. (All of heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents!)
On Saturday she died. On Monday that pastor conducted her funeral, and instead of it being a funeral by which many would wonder what her final destination was, the pastor boldly proclaimed that she was now in the presence of her Savior, and that she would one day be given a white robe, and a new name, and a mansion in the sky!
All because one pastor refused to show favoritism. May the Lord grant all of us eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to touch, and hearts to feel EVERY person's need! What a day of rejoicing it will be...
Dish Out
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