We might define hospitality as the creating of space that allows people to be who they are in Jesus (come into the light of Christ), to become renewed (changed by the work of Christ) and then to do the works God has saved them for (recreated in Christ for good works).
How can we, as the church this kind of Gospel hospitality?
I believe that there are at least 3 practices that we should enter into: BE, BECOME, BEHAVE.
BE
Before the Fall, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed. God had created a place and made space for them to be themselves without covering or facades. If we are in Christ we are clothed with His righteousness – we don’t need to cover up or hide. One of the ways we create space for people to experience and come to understand the Gospel is by allowing people to reveal their true self and see that they are loved regardless of the scars of sin. That is, we should strive to create environments where people can feel loved, not judged. Accepted, not rejected.
BECOME
The Gospel isn’t only about loving and forgiving sinners. It is also about restoring broken people who marred by sin into those who become imitators of Jesus Christ. Jesus created space for people not only to be, but also to become (think Matthew, Peter, Zacchaeus, the woman at the well, etc…). Gospel hospitality implies creating space for people to be known, to be real, to be loved, and ultimately find salvation in Jesus through the work and person of the Holy Spirit.
BEHAVE
The movement of the Gospel goes from who God is and what He has done on our behalf and moves forward into the works He created us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10). This is the result of following the example of Jesus’ hospitality. He got on the same level with his enemy – becoming human. He became our servant – to the point of death. He spent all that he had by becoming our sin and giving us his righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). Then He sent us His Spirit to empower us to do good works for his sake so others could be welcomed in to the family.
What else would you add?
Do you have any stories being, becoming, and behaving?
How do you practice hospitality in the rhythms of your life?
