Loving the “Unlovely” November 6, 2015

Read Galatians 3:26-29

Galatians 3:26      So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,

John 1:7     He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.

John 1:12     Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--

Romans 8:1     Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Romans 8:14     For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Romans 8:16     The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

As a school principal I used to unconsciously place children into two categories: “lovely” children (those who were no trouble) and “unlovely” (difficult) children. One particular first grade student was sent to my office nearly every day because his behavior was so out of control. I began to dislike this child because he spent so much time in my office disrupting my routine. One day his mother failed to pick him up from school, so I drove him home. As we pulled into a rundown trailer park, he pointed to a windowless trailer where garbage littered the yard and the door was wide open on a freezing cold day. This was his home. His mother appeared at the door and ushered him in. Stunned, I drove away.

How could I discount this child who did not have the comfort of a dry, warm place to live? Doesn’t he need me more than others? From that day forward, I considered all children to be God’s children — not “lovely” or “unlovely.” God holds us responsible to take care of each one of his children. When I treat any child carelessly, I am treating Christ carelessly. When I treat each child as a beloved child of God, I am honoring Christ.