The Borderland of Hospitality

Romans 2:1-11

Often, it feels like there is a demilitarized zone between us and the world. Efforts to share the gospel often fall on deaf ears and it’s only getting worse. The question is, though, where does the problem lie and what can Christians do about it? Paul touches on this.

It’s no secret that the left has radicalized against Christianity, including proposing violence against Christians! Jane Fonda, the radical leftist, a non-violence spokesperson for many years has herself suggested violence against Christians (Newsweek)! What can be done? How can we use our faith and kitchen tables to encourage people to listen to Jesus? Let’s look at a few questions regarding the borderlands of faith and how we can turn it around.

Are Christians Hypocrites?

By true definition, a hypocrite is an individual who pretends to be one thing for the purpose of deception. The reality is, no matter what the mainstream may say, we are not a hypocritical faith. Some certainly are, but most are sincerely trying to make the right effort. Our problem lies more in communication than anywhere else. First, the crux: God is Holy and cannot be around sin. Engaging with sin is a choice of the will – a person can choose to give into sin or withstand against it. God’s expectation is perfection, however, and the deck is stacked against us. Because of original sin (Adam & Eve), all humans are marred and are incapable of living up to God’s standard. Only with forgiveness through the cross are our sins wiped away and our sinfulness hidden by Jesus’ perfection. We are still not perfect, but we are hidden in Christ. Yet, even with the gift of the HS, no Christian completely ceases sinning. The more we grow in Christ, the less often we tend to sin, however, our sins are still viewable to the public, even if hidden in Christ. For example, think about the message it portrays when we display Christian bumper stickers and then are speeding and driving aggressively. So, if we say God expects perfection and people see us still sinning, we look hypocritical. This is the reason the entire Bible places such a premium on our behavior and works. It’s not for our salvation, but it is all about how people SEE us (Matt 5:16).

Why Does the Mainstream View Christians as Hypocrites?

Every time we cut someone off in traffic and they see the decals on the back of your car, or when many high-profile Christian leaders are caught engaging in affairs (despite scripture teaching abstinence), the world receives a message that communicates hypocrisy. Yes, God’s standard is perfection (Matt 5:48), but we know that we aren’t capable of sinlessness until we get our perfected bodies. The world doesn’t know that. They only know what we say and whether or not we live up to it. Again, this comes down to a break in communication. First, our communication shouldn’t be on rules or expectations; we aren’t to worry about actions of non-Christians (1 Cor. 5:12). Our focus should be on offering the healing power of God’s forgiveness in a broken and hurting world. Second, we need to worry more about communicating with our actions. The evidence of a living faith is found not in our words, but our actions (James 2:17). Non-Christians need to see the loving forgiveness and grace of God showed in our actions towards other people. Compare hospitality to protesting and picket lines – which communicates grace or righteousness? What about Westboro Baptist church? Are they a loving faith or a hate-filled group?

How do Christians Build Influence in this Non-Christian Culture?

We don’t need to change what we believe to fit more in line with the world, but to focus on how we communicate our beliefs. Remember that actions speak louder than words and love should come before expectations or righteousness.

Radically ordinary Christian hospitality does not happen in La La Land. It’s gritty and messy, and it forces us to deal with diversity and difference of opinion, with difficult people, with our own unrepented sin and hard hearts. It demands forgiveness before any of us is ready to cough it up.

The Gospel Comes with a House Key, 121

Remember that God saves people while still in their sin (Romans 5:8). If people see us live out our beliefs in all stages of life with love and humility, then maybe people will actually see God’s love! Maybe next time we focus on humility and loving-action through Jesus, instead of the rules that we only accepted after our coming to Christ. For example, try some ideas like these:

1. Memorize and pray over James 2:17-18. Ask God how you can show your faith to others instead of telling them.
2. Get involved in a humanitarian cause that will allow you to work alongside non-Christians in peace to bring positive change to people.
3. Instead of calling out someone’s sin, make them a warm meal. Ask to hear their story and simply don’t judge those without God.

Just like with Abraham, God gives righteousness after belief. Let’s not hold people to righteousness first (that we don’t even reach). No one has to get their life right BEFORE coming to God. In His grace, He deals with people in their muck, which is exactly how He dealt with you and me. That’s God’s Amazing Grace.