I mentioned last week that Betsy and I are housing our close friends in the wake of their own house burning down until other arrangements can be made. They have had a crazy and blessed week continuing to meet with insurance companies, contractors, investigators and the like. The Lord has been so gracious in providing for them, it has been a thrill to watch.
Something else strange happened this week I didn’t expect: people started complimenting Betsy and I for being so generous and for letting them stay with us, etc. I’ve heard, at least 5 times this week, that we are such good examples of Christian love and hospitality.
I’m so grateful for the support and I know what they mean, but every time I hear it a red light goes off in my head and a voice says “warning, warning”. Let me explain, I think Jesus words in the book of Matthew, chapter 5 might help us understand what I mean.
It reads like this, Jesus says….
43″You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Did you catch that last part? If we love those that love us what reward will we get? If we greet only our brothers, what are we doing more than others? I think I get that red light warning in my head in response to the comment that “Betsy and I are such great examples of Christian love” because actually in this particular situation, we’re not. We are just doing what anyone else would do for their friends, even those who don’t believe in Jesus.
This begs the question, what kind of hospitality or generosity is “Christian”? I think Jesus point is that, it is in the loving of our enemies and the kindness we show to those who persecute us, that we demonstrate His love through us. When we love those with whom we have nothing to gain or leverage, we demonstrate Christ’s love toward us (Romans 5:8), and thereby open another door for the Gospel into someone’s life. Through our loving those who don’t know Christ we can actually see them come to know Christ through our love. We provide housing to the homeless and they find a home in Jesus; water for the thirsty and they find the Living Water of Christ; adoption for the orphan and they find their true Father; defend the weak and they learn our God is a Mighty Fortress.
Wow, now that’s a love worthy of the Name of Christ.
