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On welcoming people into my home…

1^st thought – the house is a mess!

2^nd thought – whatever will I serve them?

3^rd thought – too much bother.   The end.

My thoughts have my best interests in mind, not the other people and certainly not God’s.

The verse, “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7 esv) challenges me. My failure, to welcome others into my home, shows that I care more about my comfort then God’s glory. Ouch!

The Greek word transliterated hospitality literally means love strangers. God has long has a “soft spot” for strangers. Back when the sons of Israel came out of slavery in Egypt, God told them to do no wrong to the strangers who lived among them, but to love them as they love themselves. (Leviticus 19:33, 34)

Come to think of it, I am glad God loves strangers so much. Because I was once a stranger to God. Paul points out that when we live the way of the world we are “separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God” (Ephesians 2:12). It is only because of God’s love and Jesus welcoming action, that I by faith can be brought near to God and welcomed into His household. (Ephesians 2:19)

I think it is time I opened my door and seek to show someone hospitality. Maybe it is the strangers next door (the new neighbors that moved in and I had not welcomed to the neighborhood) or another stranger God will put in my path. No matter, I will be on the look out for someone to welcome and bring glory to God.

Author: Sherry

Sherry is Precept Upon Precept Inductive Study trained leader. She is the Women's Ministry Director and leads women’s bible studies at her church in Bellevue, Nebraska. Sherry also writes materials for and speaks at women’s retreats. She and her husband have recently relocated to the Midwest after living on the East Coast for fifteen years and enjoy spending weekends in Kansas at the family farm. View all posts by Sherry