He would find a way to socialize with the kinds of people that polite society would find undeserving. I'd like to believe that all who are in Christ would easily recognize Him. But if salvation automatically makes us Christlike, then I'm missing something. Picture Jesus on the streets of New York City, New Orleans, or San Francisco. He would still find a way of meeting us one by one at the well of the Samaritan woman, at a party for a repentant prodigal, in the commotion of overturned tables at the Temple courts.
History is a good teacher.
But history cannot help those of us who believe that our salvation has inoculated us against the errors of those who have preceded us. Only if we remain deeply grateful for the mercy He has shown us will we stay in step with the One who is quicker to grieve the sins of others than to be angry with them. God of the ages, please do whatever it takes to bring us to the place where we can be recognized as Your children. This week's Time Out resource is taken from RBC News and Comments , the monthly newsletter of RBC Ministries. Mart De Haan is President of RBC and contributes regularly to CJ .