Hospitality is a key aspect to an effective witness. Scripture calls us to practice hospitality, which is defined as a spirit of welcoming born out in displays of kindness and care to others. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” That hospitality is to be shown to strangers says we are to love, welcome, and care for those not like us. Speaking of widows eligible for church care, Paul describes their reputation by including hospitality as a mark of the home, “and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.”
Reaching out to the world with Christ means being open to relationship with all kinds of people. Yet more than this, Scripture’s vision of the identity of the people of God calls us to embrace the multicultural and multiethnic hues of the multitude no man can number while on earth. Revelation 7:9-10 describes the people of God this way,
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
When examining these biblical passages, we may not avoid the conclusion that for such a purpose did our savior die. His people, our church, is to reflect the purposes of the atonement.
The reality is that we live in a very dominantly white community. Yet there is diversity in the neighborhood. A simple observation is that our community has a diversity of rich and poor. We are from different regions of the country and consequently have different cultural values. And yes, there is even some racial diversity from Hispanic and Latino to White and Black. Faithfulness to the gospel means hearts are open to all kinds of people.
So, when you hear about how the 46th General Assembly affirmed the recommendations of our Racial Reconciliation study committee, do not wonder whether this is positive. At its core, this work and perspective is healthy and biblical. We desire First Presbyterian Church to look like our community because we love our neighbor. And, always remember that such a desire reflects the priorities and principles of Scripture. Jesus died to make it so.