Deuteronomy 10:17–20 ‘For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.’ (vv17–18)
In an age of growing disillusionment with leadership, it is encouraging to note that God ‘shows no partiality and accepts no bribes’. Strange that deceit has such a powerful pull on our human nature. I confess to having been tempted to cheat in my past, and historically there have been times when I have done so. I am not proud, but it took some years of walking with Jesus to discover that He wanted me voluntarily to let go of everything apart from my desire for Him.
Today, even as I work, I am reassured that my responsibilities and position mean nothing to me and I am more than ready to return to my calling as a praying anchorite. Be encouraged; we can and will mature in our faith as we apply Scripture to all of life. God also offers a warm welcome to all. In our times of political correctness and ‘cancel culture’ we can have confidence that God embraces everyone. There are, of course, the gospel conditions for friendship with God, and He has embedded these into the heart of creation.
Consequently, we shall have no success in attempting to reframe the gospel message. Inhabiting God’s Law requires that we, like Jesus, are approachable by, and offer hospitality to, all. We cannot change the basis upon which eternal friendship with God is offered, but can communicate it through our actions as easily as our words. Love is most often felt before it is ‘telt’.
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Lev. 19:32–37; Isa. 57:14–21; Luke 10:38–42; Heb. 13:1–10.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: How effectively are you able to offer hospitality to all? Are there unresolved inner conflicts to pray and work through?
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, may I consistently learn to welcome everyone just as You daily welcome me. Amen.’
