Love and acceptance
in the secular world

Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’
(Matthew 22:37-40,  NIVUK)

I successfully finished a Data Science Bootcamp last December. It was nine weeks of pretty intense learning, which, at times, felt rather overwhelming. It would have been an almost impossible thing to accomplish were it not for the amazing and unexpected level of support and acceptance I experienced from the largely non-church-going folks teaching and taking the course. I must admit that I, stupidly, expected my teachers and classmates to treat me differently when they heard I worked as a musician in a church (that’s how I explained what a Worship Pastor is…) before the course. But they didn’t. They accepted me as I was, with my background, even though it was different from - and even foreign to - many of the teachers and students.
 
As I was reflecting on this acceptance and support, and how it helped me excel, grow and develop, I started thinking about church and how we accept and support those who are different from us - those who believe different things, come from different backgrounds and cultures, those unfamiliar with church and Christian values.
 
I wondered how Jesus approached this during his ministry on earth. He is, after all, the perfect example to follow, right? Here’s what I got to: 

1. Jesus loved everyone he met. Yes, regardless of background, culture or religious beliefs. This includes the Pharisees (the most religious people of his time) that he was pretty vocal about. On the cross he prays: “Father, forgive them…” That’s real love right there. Jesus did most of his teaching and ministry outside of religious venues. He met the people he so dearly loved where they were - both in body and in mind. Maybe that means that most of us should do our Christian ministry outside of church on a Sunday, living life, loving people, no matter who or where they are?
2. Jesus loved everyone, but he did not treat everyone the same. Christ’s expressions of love to different people were very different. When he met with Nicodemus (John 3) Jesus spoke to him differently than he did with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). Different people, different context, different approach, different teaching, but all flowing from the same core of love. Maybe we shouldn’t limit the way we love others to a one-size-fits-all formula, but rather try to figure out how we can best express our love for our neighbour where they are?
3. Jesus loved everyone without it causing him to sin. Jesus was fully holy and just and righteous. He never sinned. And yet he spent time with sinners and unholy people (Matthew 9:11). Jesus expects the same level of obedience and holiness from you and I (1 Peter 1:14-16). Jesus simplifies the rules we ought to follow by giving us only two of them: Love God - express your love for God by following his commands (John 14:15) - and love your neighbour - regardless of whether they follow God’s commands or not. Maybe we should be more focussed on following God’s rules for ourselves (which is to love God and to love our neighbour) than trying to police others into following our rules first?
4. Jesus loved everyone and it cost him everything. Loving people is costly. It takes our time, our resources, our energy, our very lives. Not everyone whom Jesus loved loved him back. They even killed him for it. And yet he loved them still. Maybe we too should not try and love others for the results, but rather for the sake of them experiencing something of God through the way we love them, regardless of the outcome?

 Loving people can be an overwhelming thought. There is so much need for love and acceptance in our world today that it might feel like a totally impossible task. But luckily we’re not on the mission of love by ourselves. So start small. Show love to one person where they are today. Maybe two tomorrow. Maybe three next week. And remember that you are deeply loved and accepted where you are today.
 
A prayer - Lord Jesus, thank you that you have shown your love on the cross of Calvary. Please help me love others as you have loved me. Help me discern how best to love those around me, regardless of the outcome, that you may be known and glorified in this world today. Amen.
 
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash