Recently, I attended a church that sang the old hymn “All Are Welcome.” As I scanned the crowd, I thought how alike everyone looked—and how there were still so many empty seats. Unsettled, I wondered how welcome a gay couple would be, or a woman scantily dressed covered in tattoos would feel. Or what about a dirty, smelly homeless man in tattered clothes—would he feel welcome? So many, including myself, would hurry past without knowing what to say. I can understand more fully now why Jesus was often missing in action from the religious settings of His day and hung out instead with the outcasts and marginalized.
Do we want our churches to look all shiny and clean only welcoming those most like us? Most of us would likely say no, but would our actions say otherwise? The people that Jesus loves and died for are—like us—messy and struggling. And, if they aren’t welcomed in the church, where will they be? I am challenged by the way Jesus was always moved as He looked out into the crowds: “He had compassion on them, because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36, NLT).
How many confused and helpless people are running into the arms of other places far from God simply because the people of God have not welcomed them?
I’ll never forget how my sister was treated in a Christian group while in college, and later in various churches. She didn’t “fit the mold.” She dressed a little differently and was wrestling through some doubts. Instead of welcoming her with all her questions, she was rejected. That was the beginning of the door closing for her with the church. Instead, a non-Christian group opened their arms wide and gladly welcomed her.
The real test of Gospel love comes when those whom society—or the church—deems unfit are welcomed and seen through the eyes of a Savior who values every person. Beneath every hard exterior is a living soul shaped for eternity. How will they know how much Christ loves them, unless they are first welcomed into our lives, our families, and our churches?
It’s so easy to sing the words, “All Are Welcome” in our comfortable churches. But what would it look like if that really happened? We need to continually remind ourselves that the Lord does not look at the things we look at, the outward appearance, He looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).
The word welcome comes from the Greek word dechomai which means “embrace,” or “to receive favorably.” God embraced each one of us into a relationship with Himself “while we were yet sinners” (Rom. 5:8). He looked past our sin, our outward appearances, stretched out His arms, and said: Welcome to my family and to the plan I have for you to have new life, to be set free, to live in a way that you could never imagine. Welcome just as you are!
The unwelcoming life is really a heart issue. Until we look honestly at our own prejudices and judgmental spirits, we’re never going to welcome people as Jesus has so beautifully modeled throughout the gospels. Instead, we’ll continue pushing those Christ loves away and into the arms of others who will unconditionally welcome them.
We’re all looking for a place to belong. Could it be that we’re missing some of the greatest opportunities to love like Jesus by simply providing a place where all are truly welcome? Romans 15:7 says, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Welcoming those different from ourselves should be what sets us apart as Christians. The important questions are: How welcoming am I? and Can I sing, All Are Welcome and truly mean it?
For Further Study
📖 Read:
🔍 Reflect:
- Who have I overlooked, judged, or avoided—perhaps without even realizing it?
- How can I grow in Christlike welcome this week?
🙏 Pray:
Lord, give me Your eyes to see people the way You do. Help me love without fear, welcome without hesitation, and extend the grace I’ve received.
