June 22, 2022 - March 18, 2023

Redrawn Walls

some would see us as wide open doors

exuberant in joyful welcome of all who

will hear the words

“All who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved!”

and be

recreated

the doors that must be opened are inside us

we are the welcome the lost need to see

we are the word of God's invitation

some would see us redraw the walls

undemanding inclusive welcome of all who

will hear the words

“All who come inside this building shall be saved!”

and be

unrepentant

the walls that must be redrawn are inside us

we are the line where sin and grace collide

we are the work of God's recreating

With his art, the artist (David Hayward) raises some interesting concerns, concerns are of utmost importance to the Christian Church, but I believe that in art such as the example above he limits himself to seeing the Church as either inclusive or non-inclusive; and this appears to be the general trend of his work.

There is, however, a third view, the view revealed in Jesus' ministry. Jesus was neither inclusive or non-inclusive; He accepted anyone who came to Him and allowed Him to change them.

The Christian Church needs to be welcoming to all (our doors need to be wide open - welcoming) but we must also evidence the miraculous redemptive power of Almighty God (our lives need to be redrawn - recreation).

God does not allow us to come to Him and remain unchanged.