Who are we seeking
In our evangelical search?
Certainly not the obvious sinners
No, not for our church.
No such dirty stain
Is to be allowed therein
For our church cannot allow
Such major sin.
No sinners allowed,
Come when you are clean
And yet, we advocate with gusto
Of a cleansing stream.
Full of sanctified saints
Sunday morning crew,
Such is the redeemed congregation
Except for one or two.
In the midweek service
Are the faithful few
And there’s not one single sinner-
Not even one or two.
What’s wrong, I ask,
With a sinner in church?
I am addressing this question to-
The sanctified expert.
The church is a hospital
But it is only for saints,
This practised, unspoken behaviour
I find rather quaint.
Of course, as you know,
Some sinners look clean
And these are the ones welcomed
At most church scenes.
Some fish we throw back
Into the beckoning sea,
Considering they are better off there
In that community.
I urge all of us today
Of a better approach:
It is the one that the Holy Spirit
Has invoked.
In the words of Jesus,
Come unto me
All that are weak and heavy laden-
Rest for the weary.
Change the billboard
That is positioned out front
Change it to: “Sinners apply within
For a new account.”
Or “Sinners are welcome,
Come as you are!
Christ Jesus will receive sinners
However marred.”
Jesus saves sinners
Of which I am chief,
He still offers to the sin-stained
Sweet relief.
Relief from sin’s burden,
Its penalty and guilt
And in the kingdom of heaven
He makes us to sit.
For sinners are all we
Saved by his wonderful grace
And one day by his faithfulness
We’ll see his face.
Who are we seeking
In our evangelical search?
I plea, let it be sinners, my friend,
Invite them to church.
For sinners are wanted
‘Tis the gospel quest,
It is to sinners the offer is made
To share in God’s rest.
Change that billboard
To sinners are welcome
For it is such that God is calling
Into His Kingdom.
Stewart Russell © August 18, 2025
