#178: The Title Deed of the Earth: Part 2

Okay, so I have a question for you because I know someone's listening to this, or ones, and they're saying, John, are you saying that someone who murdered another person or is a child molester or is a known abuser, we as Christians should simply say, come on, be part of our church.

Because we are now a priesthood and we're following the example of the Levites and the church now is the city of refuge fulfilled.

And that means we accept all.

It doesn't matter what they've done.

It doesn't matter if they're dangerous, etc.

Surely you're not saying that.

Well, what I'm saying is we should follow the hospitality of Jesus, right? Who welcomed the sinner to his table, who ate with the tax collector, who spoke with the Samaritan woman, who forgave the woman caught in adultery.

God is changing the trajectory of people's lives.

and welcoming them to himself.

And when he calls them into fellowship and community, and he has forgiven them, and he has given them new life and a new start, we extend the hand of fellowship.

They are a brother, they are a sister, like Saul was.

Now, it's not our job, right, to be...

Our society, we live in America, has prisons to hold people while trials are conducted.

We're not going to replace that function.

Right, right.

Right, so the powers and principalities, our host nations... have temporary places to keep people safe while a trial is conducted.

That's not our function to enter into that process.

But we need to embrace our priestly heritage of being those who can welcome people whom God has welcomed.

Despite their past.

And I think that's what you're talking about.

Especially despite their past.

Yeah,

like someone who has repented.

In other words, they are not continuing the violent, abusive activity, right? Right.

there's that part of it, too.