BE KIND TO STRANGERS
Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood — being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. — Hebrews 13:2
A clique is an exclusive group, one to which not everyone is welcome. Being "in" makes us feel important, but being "out" can be very painful. I find that even the church is full of cliques. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, you and I are instructed in the Word of God to make strangers feel welcome, to be hospitable toward them, and not to mistreat them in any way. This is especially important in church. I wonder how many people finally get up enough courage to visit a church on Sunday morning but never go back because everyone there ignored them. Of course, not all churches are cold and uncaring. Many are warm, friendly, and loving; and those are the ones that will flourish. Everyone wants to be accepted, made to feel welcome, and loved. God gave the Israelites specific instructions not to wrong or oppress strangers, telling them to remember that they were once strangers in the land themselves (See Exodus 22:21). We have all been the new person at work or at school, in a neighborhood or a church. We should remember how much we appreciated those who took the initiative to be friendly with us. We must always remember the golden rule: "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you" (Luke 6:31 NIV). From the book New Day, New You: 365 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2007 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission from Joyce Meyer Ministries
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