Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous,

but those who know they are sinners.”

Matthew 9:13

On Sundays, every church in America is filled with uncomfortable people. Some sit there and feel certain there’s a huge neon sign above their head that flashes, “Sinner! Sinner!” They know they have failed more times than they can count. Perhaps they walked into church because it was their last hope—because everyone and everything in their life thus far has failed them. Others experience discomfort of a different kind. They point and whisper. They judge and condemn, though they don’t personally know those “sinners”. Perhaps all they see are faces, clothes, or tattoos that reveal a lot of hard living. Or maybe they’ve heard stories of infidelity or addiction. They look around and are disgusted because so many seats in “their” church are filled with sinners.

Most of us fall somewhere in the middle. We know we sin, but rather than dwelling on our own, we choose to judge others’ sin instead. And according to our own personal sin-rating-scale, our sin is significantly less sinful than theirs. Somehow we feel we are free of flashy neon signs, but we still choose to live with one foot in sinfulness and the other in righteousness. One toe dipping slightly into humility, the other buried deep in pride. But Jesus doesn’t want finger pointing or bright, flashy signs. Instead, He chooses those on the receiving end of the pointing fingers and the ones who feel they deserve those overhead signs. It’s the finger-pointers and the whisperers He chooses to do without. 

Your heart is what matters to Jesus. Where you choose to place your feet does, too. He doesn’t want your empty gestures that impress others, or for you to give and serve and worship only because it looks good and is expected. He wants a relationship with you, He wants your complete devotion, and He wants His purposes to be your purposes. If your heart is not right with Him, if your motives are misguided, He’s not impressed. He wants your love for Him to be lived out as authentic faith, surrender, and sacrifice. He knows the difference between genuine and fake, so make time for Him! Make growing in relationship with Him your highest priority. Then get out there and offer grace and mercy to all those sinners. If their hearts are right with Jesus, they will do the same for you. You are loved!