And there she stands. Asked to share her new love for Jesus with the congregation, Gloria tentatively takes the mic. Tattooed from head to foot, she wears a t-shirt with a beer company logo. Weeping, she describes her years of addiction and brokenness. Gloria is amazed that Jesus loves her, despite her baggage of sin. He died for her! As she tells her story, Gloria’s language is rough. She doesn’t know that there are certain words that church people don’t use. Mascara runs down her face as describes her beloved Savior.
CHURCH IS NOT A PLACE FOR WOMEN LIKE THAT
Deacon Roy is horrified. It takes every bit of willpower for him not to storm up to the mic and rip it from Gloria’s hands. Why is Pastor allowing Gloria to share her story? Church is not a place for women like that. Roy’s face flushes with rage. Immaculately dressed, He tightly grasps his red-letter edition of the Bible. Under his breath he utters a prayer, “Thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. Thank you God that Gloria isn’t related to me!”
Roy steers his family away from the likes of Gloria. He has served the church all his life, taught Sunday School, faithfully given 10%, and done his duty for God. His record is spotless. What rankles him the most are her words, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.” Why doesn’t Gloria take the hint and worship elsewhere? There are surely more suitable places for a woman like her.
JESUS’ TAKE ON THE SAME STORY
Sadly, (names have been changed) the story of Gloria and Roy is true. This took place in my friend’s worship service. Jesus describes a similar story in Luke 19:9-14; the tale of the Pharisee and the tax-collector. Jesus observes (paraphrase my own), “I tell you, sinner Gloria, not Roy, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
God, in His patience, matured the tax-collector and Gloria in their faith. His Holy Spirit continues to transform Gloria’s heart (including her vocabulary). Today, she glows as one of the King’s beloved daughters. God burdens her to love on and reach similar women imprisoned in sin.
ROY’S PRISON OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
Alas, Roy (like the Pharisee) remains locked in a cell of self-righteousness. He may look all shiny and clean on the outside, but his Bible has never taken root in his heart. Occasionally Roy feels uneasy during his devotions. Recently, Roy read: You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain against one another, believers, so that you will not be judged [for it]. Look! The Judge is standing right at the door. (James 5:8-9)
Roy beamed when he read, “The Judge is standing right at the door.” Roy prayed, “Thank You God that in the end You will give sinners like Gloria what they deserve.” Glancing at his watch, Roy rushed out the door. He did not want to be late for church.
WHICH ARE YOU?
Which are you? Gloria or Roy? The one who revels in God’s forgiveness and reaches out to those desperately lost apart from God? Or are you the religious person in whom Scripture has never taken root? Jesus said, “Who are you to [hypocritically or self-righteously] pass judgment on your neighbor?” Time to fall on your knees before the One Who came to save us and all the Gloria’s of this world. Will you allow Him to love them through you?
