Welcoming Others

September 2nd, 2025

Deuteronomy 11:22-28.

Growing up, I always loved going through the doors of our church and being greeted. Our greeter, a World War II veteran and long-time member of our church, exemplified kindness and gentleness. You didn’t have to tell me that Christians should be welcoming; I saw that command lived out. At the same time, I know that this was not due to him alone, but Christ in him. He knew Jesus! He chose to follow Jesus in a way that welcomed others into experiencing faith lived out.

Deuteronomy is such an amazing book because it mingles together the gift of God with the choices of the people. It is only because of God’s gift of grace that we can be redeemed. God loved the world before we loved God back. We have the choice whether to say “Amen” or not.

This decision is not just internal but is revealed in our actions of faithful obedience to God. To choose God’s grace is a question of life and death. The wage of sin is death. The way of Christ is life lived in abundance.

In Christ, we can choose to know God intimately, to exemplify righteousness. God has given us this grace, and like Israel, we have a choice.

Author: Austin Troyer