“You Belong Here!” Countless churches have these words plastered all over their websites, foyers, handouts, and front doors. But the truth is… you don’t.

None of us do.

The local church is a gathering of misfits, ragamuffins, and scallywags who have all been saved by the grace of God alone. No one arrives on their own merit. Oh, sure… today churches are filled with “churchy” people. But, don’t be deceived – they are sinners too. More sophisticated and refined perhaps, but sinners nonetheless. Without the inner work of the Spirit of God, the church would be empty. No one intrinsically “belongs,” no one is predisposed to church. Quite the contrary, sin has separated us from God and our worship is turned away from King Jesus and towards our idols (cf. Ezek 14:3-5).

Yet, here we are. Warts and all.

What a miracle.

The local church is the ingathering of all who don’t belong. Through Christ, the misfits, ragamuffins, and scallywags come together to worship the one true God. The Spirit of God has drawn us, together, to Christ. The transformation begins with a newly found desire to worship King Jesus. As we look around, we realize, we don’t belong – Like Peter, our souls cry out, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Luke 5:4). Yet, “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Rev 22:17).

So, if you’re worried that you don’t belong in church… Let me reassure you, “You don’t.” But neither do I nor anyone else! That’s what Jesus does. He brings those who don’t belong together and showers them with grace upon grace. Some of us have it more together than others. Some of us are inspiring. And some of us… well, we just suck. But truth be told, we all now stand before a holy God justified by faith through the blood of Jesus (Rom 5:1). None of us belong here. We’re only here because Jesus is here and we’re united to him.

So, relax. You don’t have to have your ducks in a row to come to church. The ceiling isn’t going to fall in because you show up (probably). More than likely, you’ll discover a group of sinners, saved by grace, worshipping God in Spirit and truth… And you’ll come to learn that is exactly where you belong, right beside the rest of us… that don’t belong.