To Those Who Feel They Need to “Clean Themselves Up” Before Coming to God

There’s a common misconception in Christianity, that you must first “get right” before coming to Christ or to church, but this is not biblical. Jesus calls the weary, the burdened, the sinners. When accused by the self-righteous about His propensity to spend time with sinners, outcasts, and rebels, His response is simple and certain, “I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners.” God is in the restoration business and His heart is drawn towards those who have been made to feel “unredeemable” by the world’s standards. He says in Isaiah, “Come now, and let us reason together” that “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” He tells us to come and talk it through with Him. He will show you reason and wisdom deeper than you ever thought possible. God tells us “call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” It is impossible to abide in Christ and leave unchanged. He knows His restorative love is powerful and life-changing, which is why He simply asks for you to come “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Once you dine with Jesus, taking a seat at His eternal table, your soul will never hunger or thirst again, for you will be fully satisfied by the source of life Himself. The rejection you’ve experienced from the world will pale in comparison to the eternal embrace and devotion of God, for He promises that “all who come to Me, I will embrace and will never turn them away.” ‭John 6:37