Have you ever done anything, and at the time it really didn't make a difference. But later, you realized what you did was wrong. I did, approximately 5 years ago, when I was singing over at Magnolia nursing home, there was a man sitting in the corner. For all appearances he looked like a vagrant. Long hair that looked unwashed. A scraggly beard and what seemed to be very old garments on. He sat quietly as to not draw attention to himself, I really hardly noticed him. I sung for half an hour and Willard gave a Bible message, and when we were ready to leave, we shook hands with each of the residents at the home. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. You see I neglected to shake the man's hand. It didn't seem important at the time. But after we left a verse from the Bible came to me.
Matthew 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Five years ago, and I still feel the guilt of not shaking that man's hand. And to tell the truth, I feel in my heart that it could have been my Lord Jesus sitting there, and I missed the chance to shake the hand of my Savior. I wonder any way.
But the worse part about it all, #1 What kind of wittness was I? If the man only had me to go by as to what a Christian was, then I was a very poor example and #2 is the fact that I may have made someone who was already down on their luck and most likely felt bad about himself, feel even worse. I may have made him feel less important that anyone else. In fact I most likely did.
I have asked forgiveness many times for that sin on that day. And yes it was a sin. That day still haunts me. I wish that I could find the gentleman and tell him how very sorry I am, and not only shake his hand, but give him a hug.
I'm telling you this story to make you think of how you treat people. It's easy to ignore people that you think are less desirable. But in God's eye we are all the same. There's no difference in us as God sees us, neither wealth, social standing, young or old, nationality, race, fat or thin. It makes no difference. God doesn't see us by any of these standards. The only standard that our Heavenly Father looks at is, has his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, been accepted by you as Lord and Savior?
It's a fact, some things we do in life, even though forgiven by God, still leave the consequences and hurts of what was done. Things can never be undone. So think about this the next time you pass by a homeless person. And if he has long hair, a beard and old worn clothes on, tell him I'm sorry.
Until next time, God bless and God save.