Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7
When I was a child, welcome mats were very popular. I remember that may grandparents had a black rubber mat with little nubs on it so you could scrape your feet and in the middle was the word WELCOME written in large white letters. It never really made me feel more welcome, but it gave the appearance that this was a warm and welcoming home.
In 3 John we find a church that needs a welcome mat.
John wrote the letter of 3 John to his friend Gaius. Praising him for his good work for the Lord and explaining the need to be hospitable to those who work with us for the Gospel.
He also speaks to Gaius about a particular leader in the church, his name is Diotrephes. And, Diotrephes is not terribly hospitable. In fact this man is spoken of in only two verses in all of scripture and we learn all that we need to know in those two verses.
John explains to Gaius that “9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.”.
This man, is a slanderous gossip, he is inhospitable, and hurtful to those in the body who are being loving and hospitable the way God calls them to. He is even kicking members who are hospitable out of the church.
I think I have visited his church a time or two ; ) lol.
Members of churches can become territorial about “their” church. They will say things like, “I remember when”…or “I have been here through __ number of pastors” or “I was born in this church”. That in and of it self isn’t a warning sign, but when repeated over and over, it is easy to see the ownership taking place. And that is often accompanied by an unwelcoming spirit.
But, Diotrephes was a LEADER in the church. Wow! Can you imagine a leader, not being welcoming. God addresses how a leader should behave in the scripture (Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28).
Acts 20:28 also reminds us who the church belongs to…Jesus Christ obtained it with His own blood! Who are we to take ownership? Who are we to be unwelcoming or unloving?
We are called to come together in the church (And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25). These verses are often referenced when we want to discuss the call of God for us to be in a body of believers and going to church, but there is so much more in that verse. We are to encourage (stir up) one another to the degree that it creates love between us and we perform good works, which glorify God.
But, we are not just called to love each other, in the church. We are to love on and welcome everyone (For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, Matthew 25:35). Jesus says that when we care for and welcome anyone in need, we are doing it for Him (And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40).
We are the welcome mat to our churches. People are coming, seeking the love of Jesus. Are we loving them with that supernatural love that we found when He forgave us? Do people wonder why we are so caring to them, when they are new and yet strangers? We should be answering yes to these questions. If not, I would encourage you to remember how desperately you needed that love that Jesus shared with you and begin to share it with those coming into your church.
I pray that today we would not only decide to be the welcome mat for our church, but that we would decide to be the welcome mat to the Kingdom of God. Let the world wipe their feet on us, as long as they are coming through the door to become sons and daughters of the King. I pray that we would love our church family and the lost with that supernatural love that Jesus showed us. I pray that we would “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 1:9. I pray that when others see the caring, loving, hospitality in us, that they would see Jesus and be drawn to Him.
By being loving, kind and different from what people are used to, we glorify God and point them to Him and away from the grasp of the enemy (In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16).
Let’s be welcome mats for the Kingdom and love and welcome like Jesus…with arms wide open!
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and have even been in churches that were unwelcoming and unloving and you probably chose not to go back, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) right now and pray the prayer that is outlined there. The scripture tells us that there will be Diotrephes, in churches. But there will also be people who want to welcome and love you with that same love that Jesus wants to pour out on you when you pray that prayer. “We love, because He first loved us” – 1 John 4:19.
Please pray that prayer, the love that Jesus wants to pour out on you is like nothing you have ever known.
Once you have prayed that prayer, please reach out to me so that I can pray for you and welcome you into the family of God!
Luv Ya!
