She stood in the shadows, taking it all in. Other people sat at tables, some in groups and some alone. Workers bustled around, handing out bowls of food and glasses of water. Her stomach rumbled, encouraging her to move forward. Still she hesitated. It had been three days since she’d last eaten and she wanted so much to join them. But if they knew about her past, the things that she had done, they wouldn’t want her sitting at their tables. These Christians would see her for what she was.
Sometimes when we get involved in ministry, we come in contact with people who believe differently than we do or have done things that we don’t agree with. While we know in our heads to “hate the sin, love the sinner,” sometimes that is easier said than done.
Reconciling the Differences
Depending on the type of ministry you choose to get involved with, you can be around people who have done drugs, abused others, had abortions, stolen and even committed murder. You may see those with different religious backgrounds or those whose current behavior is different than yours. How can you show the love and compassion of Christ to those people without judging them?
Jesus Himself said that He came not to condemn the world, but that through Him it might be saved. When you look at your ministry with that attitude, it helps you deal with the differences. The people you minister to are no different than you were before you came to Christ even if some of the things they have done are much different. But what if those people don’t want to be saved? What if they don’t want to give up their beliefs, their lifestyles? It is not our place to change them, only to point them in the right direction.
Know Your Role
Not everyone has the same job in ministry. For some, it will be their role to hand out food, clothes or to find a place for people to go to feel safe. For others, it will be to speak of spiritual truths or to teach about Christ and righteous living. No matter what our roles are, we are to perform them in love. Sometimes people must have their basic needs met before they can focus on dealing with spiritual needs.
The Bible tells us that it is not our role to judge others. Instead, we are to be the light of Christ to a world of darkness. Not all who are helped by ministry will turn their lives around. Drug users will continue to look for their next fix, alcoholics will thirst for their next drinks. Others will continue to worship their gods.
Our roles in ministry involve two aspects – stand firm in the faith and respond in love. We should never be swayed from our beliefs and be prepared to give an answer for why we believe. At the same time, we shouldn’t be pointing our fingers at others. Instead, we should see everyone as a person that God loves. If we focus on the job God has given us to do instead of what the other person has done or is doing, it will be much easier to minister with a loving attitude.
Are there certain types of people that you find hard to minister to? How do you plan to deal with those issues in a Christlike manner?
Really enjoyed this. It’s hard working with people who are different than you sometimes. I’ve struggled with that. I have to admit too that it can be hard to just love when you want someone to know Christ. Our job is to love and point them in the right direction – not change them. That’s God’s job. Great post!
Awhile back my husband was arrested and served 2 yrs in jail for multiple DUI and Driving while revoked. Due to income loss I had to move to a cheaper home a few miles away and bagan attending a new church. I kept pretty quiet about my private life, but one day during announcements I shared that the following Sunday I would be bringing a very special person with me(my husband)and explained the circumstances. For a minute you could hear a feather drop! But when he came, the whole church warmly greeted him and treated him as if he was one of their own. He had already got saved in jail. He quickly arranged to be baptized. He chose to wear a short sleeve shirt and came up out of the water arms held high, with all his tatoos for all to see, shouting praises to the Lord!!! He now is a trustee, helps in leading worship services, sometimes sings a beautiful song for the “special music”, and they love him and he loves them. It is the love and acceptance they showed. The interest in our lives and well being. Always offering help. Those things kept us coming back, and let us see the love of Christ through them. If not for that, hopefully we would have found another church that did; but it’s possible we would have gave up, gotten discouraged, grown bitter, and returned to our old ways.Praise God for His mighty love and Spirit that dwell in those that love Him!!!!!