Day 6: Isn’t the Church Supposed to Be a Place for Broken People?
MAIN SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NLT) 9 Don’t you realise that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
DEVOTIONAL:
The Church, indeed, is a refuge for the broken. It's where all of us, carrying our mistakes and hurts, come to find hope and healing. This includes those who experience same-sex attraction. The question arises, can we know God's grace regardless of our lifestyle choices? Yes, we can, but it's important to understand what grace invites us to.
Grace isn't just about receiving love and forgiveness; it's about transformation. True, nobody's perfect. We all miss the mark. Yet, God's grace does something extraordinary, it doesn't just cover our sins; it changes us from the inside out.
When the Bible speaks about repentance, it's not just saying "I'm sorry." It's about a turnaround, a genuine change of heart and action. This is evident in the lives of those who follow Christ, not just in what they say but also in how they live.
Repentance isn't popular. It's tough to face our wrongs and turn from them. But without this turning, we can't fully grasp who Jesus is or what He's done for us. He invites us not only to regret our wrongs but to leave them behind and start fresh.
Regarding those with same-sex attraction, the Church must be a place where everyone is called to repentance, not singled out unfairly, but invited into a life-changing journey with Jesus. The goal isn't to shame but to welcome everyone into a transformative relationship with God.
True grace is costly. It cost Jesus His life. So, when we accept it, it should reflect in our lives. Assurance of heaven isn't a ticket we claim while living as we please; it's a promise for those who turn from sin and to God.
This isn't about earning salvation, no one can earn it. It's about the evidence of genuine faith, which will inevitably lead to a life that's different from before. A faith without a change in life is questionable.
So yes, the Church is for broken people, but it's also a place where brokenness is mended, not ignored. A place where we come as we are but don't stay as we are. The hope of the gospel is that we can be forgiven, yes, but also that we can be made new.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the grace that meets us in our brokenness. Help us to understand that Your love and grace call us not to remain in our sins but to turn away from them and follow You. Guide us in Your truth and help us live lives that reflect Your transformative work in us. May our Church be a welcoming place for all who seek You, a place where true repentance and change are embraced. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.