Authorized Personnel Only

Literal Translation: Access of unauthorized personnel is strictly forbidden.

Can you guess where I found this sign? It was not on the property of a government building. Nor was it on the door to a factory, a restaurant storeroom, or a construction site.

This sign was on the gate of a church near where I live. That’s right. The church has a sign that says only authorized personnel may enter! I don’t know what it means to be authorized to enter the grounds of this particular church. Do I have to be a member of that church or can I be accompanied by a member? Is it possible that if I were to visit that church with a sincere desire to worship God, that I would be seen as an unauthorized visitor and asked to leave? I don’t know. It’s probably best if I don’t pay them a visit, since I haven’t received a specific “authorization.”

How often do we have an “Authorized Personnel Only” policy in our churches? Maybe we don’t put up a sign with those words, but how often do we have this attitude? We may say that our church is open to everyone, but are we really welcoming to people who aren’t like us? How do people from a different socio-economic background than our own feel when visiting our church? What about people who don’t speak English fluently? Do visitors to our churches need to be “authorized” by already being a Christian and living a Spirit-filled life or are we welcoming to people who believe differently than we do? What is our attitude to people who have a different worship style than our own? How about those who have attitudes and opinions different from ours, or who belong to a different political party? What if someone is known to live a lifestyle which does not glorify God? How often do we treat people as if they need to be “authorized” in order to visit our church?

The religious leaders during Jesus’ ministry had an “authorized personnel only” policy of their own. Only Jews who were observant to all of the details of the Jewish Law could achieve such authorization. Repeatedly, the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus because He did not share their policy. He forgave adulteresses and called tax collectors to be His disciples. He provided the healing touch to lepers and to Gentiles. These were people that the religious leaders may have viewed as unauthorized.

Who are you most like? The Pharisees, the tax collectors, or Jesus? Are you preventing someone from engaging in a relationship with God because they're not “authorized” according to your policy? Do you feel that you don't measure up to the expectations of those in the Church? Or do you embrace the fact that Jesus doesn't have an “authorized personnel only” policy and invites all to come to Him?