What are you saying?

Do you people watch? It is one of my favorite things to do. You learn a lot about a person by simply observing; however, there’s still a great deal you don’t know.  Too many times we make we make judgment calls on brief observations or incomplete information. We judge based on the world’s standards and opinions. We all do it, even the most committed of Christians; although when we’re walking closely with the Lord, we do it less often.

This morning I ran across 2 Corinthians 5:16,

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.”

The bottom line, as Christians, we are to see people through the Lord’s lenses and not our own. We are like miners and the earth is our goldmine.  We’re to call the gold out from others. We’re to treat them not as their behavior dictates, but as their worth dictates. Jesus said each and every one of us is priceless when He died on the cross for our sins [John 3:16]. He died for all of humanity, even those who refuse to acknowledge Him.

That means when you see a teenager with his pants sagging down below his butt, piercings, gauges or tattoos, you don’t avoid them and walk away. You reach out realizing you are called to be a true reflection of Jesus. When you see a prostitute on a street corner or a girl in clothing that reveals far more of her than anyone should see, you don’t shake your head and move your family away calling her cheap. Rather, you become the hands and feet of Jesus and speak life into her offering a better life.

I’ve heard countless stories of pastors dressing up as homeless people wandering into their congregations to see how their people would respond to them.  Sadly, in almost every case, the congregation didn’t reflect Jesus.

Are you a follower of Christ? If so, how are you reaching out to those society would deem a waste of time or a lost cause? Are you judging them and turning away from them or running to them and becoming their friend?

A very wise woman (my mother) said more times that I can count,

Actions speak louder than words!”

So, what are you saying?