We call ourselves christians for all the world to see
We run around with Bibles preaching love and forgiveness and acceptance for all
We talk of God's saving grace - a gift available to all
Christ is the center of our lives - is our call
Let's stop and take a step back and view ourselves from the eyes of the world
Do they hold us in as high regard as we hold ourselves to be
If we were to be honest with ourselves the only answer we could say is "our lives are built on lies"
Sunday mornings the church pews are filled, maybe even overflowing
People mill about, singing and praying, hugging and kissing - the best of friends it seems
"Wait - what is that I see coming through the doors - a visitor - oh no, what a chore.
Who will go and welcome them? Not me - you're closer to the door"
I hear the murmurs begin almost immediately
"We can't welcome them - they don't belong - can't you see that they are not like you and me-
they aren't dressed in Sunday's finest-.wait, that man has got an earring..Is that a tattoo that I see
peering out beneath his sleeve - can you beleive a parent would let their child come to church with hair so very long -
what did you say, it can't be true, his parents aren't even wed - oh no, what will we do"
The whispers grow louder as the family settles into their pew
All eyes are resting upon them, wondering what they will do - will they stay or will the go
Then among the whispers I hear a voice and it sends chills up and down my spine
The words are so cold and calloused as a voice speaks to those nearby
"Don't worry about all those petty things that you have seen. We have much more pressing matters to deal with.
Did you notice the color of their skin - it isn't like yours or mine"
The service begins and the preaches he preaches - of love and acceptance for all - of loving others just as Christ loves us
Amens and halleluhias fill up the room
When service ends everyone jumps up with joy
They hug and they kiss - wishing each other good days and much love
Out of the corner of my eye I see this family - their heads hung low, despair upon their faces
They leave the church without a single word of welcome
We had our chance to show the world that we lived our lives as we said we did
We failed to do as Christ would have done and now this family suffers for our pride
I hear them as they walk away with teardrops in their eyes..
"This church was our last hope to see if Jesus really lived
We heard these Christains hoop and holler when they talked of love and acceptance but not a single one of these so-called Christians came to our side
Not one single smile, not one single handshake, not one single word did we hear.
It's as if we didn't even exist
The answer is rather obvious - Jesus Christ cannot be found in these churches in our town
We're on our own to search Him out.
I hope that we're not too late.
Jesus if You are out there anywhere - please show Yourself to us
We won't give up the search for You.
We know You're out there somewhere - just not inside this church"
As the week goes on not a single person gives this family any thought
A look in the paper brings them to the forefront of my mind.
The headlines scream "Family of 3 found dead in their home"
The cause of death is irrelevant now as it becomes so clear as to how much damage we as "Christians" may have done
The family came looking for the love of our Lord and we failed to display it to any of the three
We had a chance to give them the keys to eternal life and we never even tried
On each of our consciences should be this horrifying thought "3 souls may have been lost to Satan and the fault lies upon our shoulders"
We need to start living out the words that we preach from our altars
If only our lives reflected His Word, just think of the impact on all who have heard
Lord, help us tear down the walls that we've built up within our churches
Teach us how to love the people You put into our path
Help us stop all the fighting right within the church
Help us work on ourselves and not focus so much on pride
Help us start to live our lives so people will see the love of Jesus in what we say and do
Let others see Christ when they start looking in
Help match our inner selves to the the outer one we portray
May all we do help You
Lord, show us how to live with "True Christianity"