I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, doesn’t welcome us. Because of this, if I come, I will bring up what he has done—making unjustified and wicked accusations against us. And as if that were not enough, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers and sisters but stops those who want to do so and even throws them out of the church! Dear friend, don’t imitate what is bad but what is good. Whoever practices what is good belongs to God. Whoever practices what is bad has not seen God. Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, even the truth itself. We also speak highly of him, and you know that what we say is true. (3 John 9-12, CEB)
Who is welcome?
One of my great friends, Drew Tucker, said, “I use “everyone is welcome but not everything” and then delineate clearly that racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and the like aren’t welcome. If you’re not willing to try and give those up, come back when you are.”
Everyone is welcome but if your beliefs cause harm to life then you need to rethink your understanding of welcome.
Evil doesn’t show love. Only good does.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 