Have you ever been touched by someone’s hospitality? Good for you. Christian hospitality at its best is profoundly touching. I am in the learning process of this scriptural and spiritual way of serving others. I want to practice Christian hospitality myself. How about you?

Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2, AMP)

Christine Pohl points out “A life of hospitality begins in worship, with a recognition of God’s grace and generosity. Hospitality is not first a duty and responsibility; it is first a response of love and gratitude for God’s love and welcome to us.”

We are indeed called to hospitality. How could we practice it? What could it mean in each of our lives? The Holy Spirit will work differently in each of our lives and that’s the beauty of it. There’s no one-size-fits-all Christian hospitality. It is the Living God working within each of us uniquely.

Christian hospitality

Christian hospitality is not ‘just’ about opening our homes and hearts to strangers. It’s about inviting people to Jesus. Christian hospitality is about saying “Come, my friend, to church this Sunday”.

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Rev.22:17, NIV)

This means….if we do not invite others to come to Jesus….we are spiritually inhospitable. And that goes against everything Jesus taught us and what he sent us to do in this world.

So if we truly want to practice Christian hospitality, we need to stop hiding where we have found the way, the truth, and the life. Let’s invite people to share not only our table and l

ives but to be a part of the body of Christ.

Gracious God,
Have mercy on us.
Forgive us for being inhospitable
and not sharing your gifts.
Let us truly learn that
there is enough grace for all of us.
Teach us how to practice spiritual hospitality
wherever we are.
Show us how to love others as you do.
Equip and empower us to invite others to you.
Enable all of us to dance together for your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How do you practice Christian hospitality?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you invite people to your table and to Jesus!

Refurbished post from2015. Photo by Phil Goodwin on Unsplash. Linking up today with Dance with Jesus and Five-minute Friday.