The ‘Are Nots’
Image: Zhivko Minkov on Unsplash
‘God can’t love me’, and ‘I’m not good enough to be a Christian’! These are just a couple of examples of phrases I have heard as a Pastor over the years.
Recently, when we were running a course that explores the Christian faith (called Alpha), one person said that they felt ‘blocked’ from God, because of things they had done.
In other words, they felt that God would not accept, welcome or love them because of their past. They thought that they had to do certain things to be accepted.
This is in contrast to what the Bible says. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote…
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”
Paul said that God did not view people in the same way they did. He added that God chose those who are overlooked. Why? So that everyone can see that it’s God’s work and nothing to do with human privilege, power or position.
How amazing is that! If you are someone who feels that God couldn’t possibly accept, welcome or love you, here is the truth – you are wrong!
Today, God still sees people in this way. Access to Him is a gracious gift freely on offer for everyone, no matter who you are, or where you are from. That means you are included. Just let that sink in!
I love the wording in this translation describing the people God chooses. I call this comprehensive list of nobodies the, ‘are nots’!
If you feel like an ‘are not’, then be encouraged, God accepts, welcomes and loves you!
God bless you:)
Gary Bastin
Hope Community Church leader