In John 13:34-35 Jesus says, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)

As many are making the decision to either go back to church, or attend for the first time, we must be prepared to welcome many who may not look like us. What do I mean by this? I’ve come across several individuals on social media who are coming out of the LGBT community. Some have been in the middle of transitioning, some may have already transitioned and now they’ve decided to de-transition, some may be in same sex relationships already. Some may have a past including drugs, criminal convictions, and even jail or prison. But they are responding to the Father’s calling them to Himself. How we respond, as people of God, will have an impact on all those we encounter. We must make a very real effort to be Christ to all who are seeking to know Him.

Loving others doesn’t mean that we overlook or accept sin. What it means is that we continue to pray for each other. We encourage each other, and we allow God’s Holy Spirit to work, not only in the lives of new believers (our new brothers and sisters), but also in our own lives.