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Show hospitality to one another without grumbling I Peter 4:9


This Scriptural command is an easy one to obey.


At least for us Southerners, right?


Doesn't this evoke images of a tastefully decorated home, an exquisite menu, and a beautifully dressed woman with manicured nails?


In a word - NO.


I don't think that's what Scripture means. At all.



When Scripture exhorts us to "practice hospitality" (Romans 12:13) what does it mean? If it doesn't mean knocking yourself out to present a perfect picture, what, then, is it?


Just look at the word - "hospitality". It's closely related to the words "hospital", "hotel", as well as "hostel". What is the connection between these? Simply put, I think it's the idea of receiving strangers/outsiders and caring for them in such a way that they are changed from strangers into friends. The emphasis is relationship.


This is very different from entertaining, where the focus can often be on eliciting compliments for the host.....not on meeting the needs of the strangers.


Hospitality means making others feel like they "belong", like they are no longer an outsider, an alien. It has little to do with the table decorations and instead everything to do with being cared for.


And hospitality doesn't need a showcase of a home to transpire. In fact, it doesn't even need a home at all. It can be at the ball field, where the family of a new kid is hoping they can fit in. It can be in an adult Sunday School class, where a new couple visits and looks for a place to sit. It can be at the crowded Chick-fil-A, where an elderly man sits alone, trying to adjust to his new status as a widower.


Hospitality can be anywhere. In fact, we are not to simply wait for an opportunity to present itself - we are actually to be on the lookout for an outlet for our hospitable spirit! The verse in Romans that tells us to "practice hospitality" literally means "pursue hospitality". We are to seek out people to encourage, to care for, to transform from being a "hostile" into a friend.


No, this isn't an easy command to obey. We tend to prefer socializing with our friends and entertaining those we enjoy (or at least those who can benefit us). If we aren't intentional about hospitality, all those strangers remain outsiders. They miss the blessings of connection and we miss the joy of the transformation. Instead of meeting needs, we are often seeking favor.


God help us. Help us to be hospitable.


Oh, and if He does lead us to create a stunning centerpiece, to prepare a gourmet tray of goodies, and to sport a stunning new haircut, may we especially heed the last part of that verse....."without grumbling."


Ouch.

Don't judge a gift by its package

James 1:16-18
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a] 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures


  The preceding verses in this chapter address the fact that the Enemy of our souls presents temptations in the midst of our trials.  He sends the temptation in an attempt to thwart God's purpose in the trial.  God's purpose is to make us perfect....Satan's is to make us fall.


The root of most every temptation can be found in these verses....the temptation to doubt the goodness of God.


And to be truthful, we are very easy to deceive!


When we are suffering in a trial, the Enemy wants us to doubt God's goodness, His capability to help, His faithfulness.   And to believe that something (or someone) else is the answer to the bleak feeling in our soul.


So James reminds us of the Truth.


The Truth about God's character.


1.  His goodness to us.  He only gives good gifts.  Sometimes we are confused by the package they come in, but we need to know that everything He gives us is good.  And if there is a gift we are seeking but He is withholding, well, then, it isn't what it seems because No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly  (Psalm 84:11)


2.  His power for us.  When James describes God as the Father of Lights, it is helpful to know that not only does the word "lights" convey energy, warmth, and light, this word specifically means THE SOURCE of light - one that is never kindled, never quenched....it gives the light.  Surely this Source is able to keep His promises to us!


3.  His consistency with us. No variation or shifting shadow...no natter what our circumstances, God's Word is always true.  He is not a respecter of persons and He never changes.  He is always good.  Always powerful.  Always loving.


4.  His Love towards us.  He chose us.  Not because He had to but because He delighted to.  Of His will, He chose us.  He doesn't love us because He made us.....He made us because He loves us.


 During a trial, it's hard to hold onto to the truth.  We get distracted by our pain.  And that makes it easy to fall for the temptation to doubt God's character. 


Don't let that happen to you. 


Everything God does is good.  He loves you.  He is able to keep His promises.  Always.