HELEN SANDERS
4-8-2026
DIRTY CLOTHES AND TATTOOS

It is easy to look at someone’s outward appearance and make a judgement. One day I was working in our church thrift shop, and a young man came in dressed very dirty and had lots of tattoos. He didn’t fit the “profile” of what one would call a believer. From his appearance I immediately made a judgement call that was wrong. I figured I should witness to this “sinner” and maybe he would get saved.

When he came to the counter to pay for a few things he wanted to purchase, I arrogantly asked him where he went to church, expecting him to answer in a way that I could judge him again. He said that he had just started to go to church about two weeks earlier, and that he had recently asked Jesus to be his savior, and he had just come from his construction job. Boy did the Lord convict me of my judgmental attitude. I had to repent immediately. I was absolutely wrong, and I am sure some of you have made the same mistake.

I wonder If those that looked at Mary Magdalene after she received forgiveness still saw her as a whore. The change was apparent in her life. What about Peter? He denied the Lord three times, but he was forgiven. Yes, the body of Christ is to judge sin in the camp, (the church) but it is for the whole purpose of reconciling the sinner to God. We must remember though when repentance comes the sin is under the blood and God forgets it for eternity. Then we must give the person grace to allow change to take place in their lives.

This country is so divided. Even those that call themselves Christians are slinging mud and using profanity. It saddens Father's heart. One day each of us will stand before God. Your life will come before your eyes. Every evil word and every good word that you have said will be judged. I am sure that some of us will be very ashamed of that moment. No one will be there to blame, my friends. No one will be there to give you an excuse for what we have said, and what we have done.

This message isn’t intended to condemn anyone, but if makes you realize how important loving the unlovely sinner and the repentant sinner is, and you haven’t done it, then please, get your heart right with God. Don't call yourself a Christian and live like the devil. The Word says you will know people by the fruit in their lives.

I could put page upon page in this newsletter of the sin of those I love, but that would be wrong. The scripture tells us: “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” (Proverbs 17:9. KJV.) When we think of ourselves more highly than others, that is called pride, and that is what caused Satan to fall from heaven. If God hated it, we should too. We must remember that while we were yet sinners, that Christ died for US! I had to repent, what about you?