Churches: Leave no one behind!

In American Military movies we hear the saying; "Leave no man behind!" What are they insinuating? Well, they are saying that we will leave no comrade behind; dead or alive! The current U. S. Soldier's Creed says it like this: "I will never leave a fallen comrade." Even in our school systems, we have the No Child Left Behind Act; which was designed to strengthen our schools so that every child has the ability to learn and move forward.

I believe that in the church, we should have the same basic thought process! We will not leave our unsaved family member behind! We will not leave our unchurched neighborhood behind! We will join with what God is doing around us and do everything in our power to tell people about Jesus!

Sadly, though many times; our churches are not known for rescuing our hurting people; we are known for shooting our wounded! A person sins, makes a life mistake, or even steps on the toes of the church's tradition; and its like we get the tar all heated up, the feathers plucked off the bird, and many times chase the person right out the front door of our church.

When I read the Bible, I do see where we are to hold our brothers and sisters accountable to Christ. It is a command that we are to do as loving Christians. The problem is that I also don't see in the Bible the many responses church people tend to give. I'll list a few:

1. The Judgmental Response - This response is the first one that comes to mind. No where in Scripture does God give us the command to judge people. This is a Holy God's responsibility and only He in His perfect state can judge us. Too many times we reject people on what they wear to church, how they act, how different they are; that many Sundays lost people walk in and then back out of the church. Many times being offended by church people than being offended by what should offend them, the Word of God which penetrates to their soul with conviction!

2. The Gossip Response - So many times when church people see someone "breaking a rule" whatever that might be; they can't resist the urge to go and find someone to talk about it. I've been in and out of many churches across the country; and gossip (in my opinion) is the number one sin in the church that kills relationships within the church and burns bridges with the church's community. Gossip is toxic to the life of a follower of Jesus. 

3. The Holy than Thou Response - For some reason, we tend to think that our sin sticks less than those around us. We justify our "small sins" while stubbing other Christians and even lost people (that have no clue they are lost) about their "big sins." Problem with this; is that all sin stinks in God's presence no matter what sin it might be. It is like a big pile of manure that God wants absolutely nothing to do with. James 2:10 says, " For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." Lets face it, sin is sin. Quit putting people down, turning your nose up at others sin, and come along other Christians in a Christ loving manner, encouraging them in their walk with Christ, and praying that  the person would be willing to let God work on him or her as God desires to do. As for lost people, how do you expect a lost person to act? Ummm lost...Till they meet God face to face and God starts a work in them after salvation; they will not understand sin, the law, the grace of God, etc. 

4. The Condemnations Response - Last time I checked, God is the only one that can condemn a human being. In which, those who do not choose Him will be condemned in the end. Because of Jesus and God's grace, those that do choose Him will not be condemned!

We are called by God to reach out in love to those who are lost and perishing. We are called to love our brothers and sister in Jesus Christ. We are called too hold others accountable to the Word of God, to encourage people to live a life under God, and allow God to work on their hearts as He works on ours. We are not called to judge, gossip, look down on others, or condemn any Christian or lost person. If we, as the church start doing this; I believe that God will do amazing change in our lives, in our churches, in our communities, and in the lives of lost people around us! 

Church lets start to being the church! Loving people and pointing them to Jesus; allowing God to change them into exactly who He wants them to be. Get on board with what God is doing or get out of the way. Once again: "We will not leave our unsaved family member behind! We will not leave our unchurched neighborhood behind! We will join with what God is doing around us and do everything in our power to tell people about Jesus! Churches we leave no one behind!"