First Corinthians 13:4-8a says, "Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things. Love never fails..."
Through personal experience and from a sociological perspective, the American church has gone a number of decades erring on the side of judgment rather than mercy. We have been quick to judge, quick to "put outside the camp", and quick to write people off because they don't conform to our doctrinal persuasions, denominational affiliations, musical interests, social status, etc. The flip side has also risen up in churches, which is where we get the "greasy grace" messages that subtly convince believers that there is no cost to following Christ, and that we can live however we want to as long as we convince ourselves that we truly "love" God. What I have seen is that we (church leaders) try modeling our methods, doctrine, etc. after churches who appear to be "successful" in whichever "camp" they fall in. In doing so, however, we have forgotten that our true model for living by faith, in intimate relationship to our Heavenly Father, is Jesus.
When I read the gospels, I notice Jesus confronted the religious people's inward sins more than we read about Him getting angry or disgusted with the non-religious people's outward sins. So what happens when you're confronted with a non-religious person who curses, suffers from some addiction, has a fashion sense that's different from yours, listens to immoral music, and has opposing political views? Can you hold a conversation with them without getting offended? Is it even possible for you to...become friends with a sinner (see Luke 7:34)?
I think the Church in America suffers from a lot of hidden prejudices and discriminations that are starting to be exposed just as God revealed Peter's hidden racial prejudices in Acts 10. We have things that have become such a part of our paradigms that it is nearly inconceivable for a conservative Republican to genuinely befriend a progressive liberal, or a pentecostal to fellowship with a baptist, or a Christian and non-Christian. Are we more like the Pharisees who have more self-imposed walls up between them and non-religious, or are we more like Jesus who hung out with "sinners and tax collectors" while still maintaining His integrity and not compromising?
Light was not made to shine amongst other light. God said, "Let there be light" after we are told that "darkness covered the face of the deep." Light was made to shine in the darkness (see John 1:5). I went to a Promise Keepers event a couple years ago and I saw all these groups of men with their "men's group" t-shirts from their church. I laughed to myself because it was as if I was attending a big "whose-Christian-t-shirt-is-better-than-whose" competition! I'm guessing creators of Christian t-shirts make them to be worn in public to promote discussions and give some kind of witness of the good news of Jesus Christ. But at this Christian event, it was like we were comparing "lights". Am I being a little facetious? Perhaps. But I think you get the point.
My heart's passion is to see the Church of Jesus Christ be filled to overflowing with the love of God - a love that far surpasses what we can humanly give or comprehend - a love that can only be poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) - and let that love spill out into our communities. There are people who are begging and searching for a love that "never fails" - a love that's patient, selfless, and satisfying. Yes, our love may be put to the test at times, but I'm convinced that it is His surpassing love that is going to overcome all barriers, heal all wounds, and restore what was once lost.
Join me in putting God's love to the test…try loving the unlovable, and even those who push it away! After all, that was once you and me, yet God kept pursuing us!
