Do you trust Jesus to make them whole? (Part 1)

"Do You Feel Their Pain" by Steve Camp is probably one of the most powerful songs I've ever heard. I don't say that lightly. Tears and tears have fallen as I've listened to this song that was written, if I remember correctly (can anyone substantiate this?), as an appeal to the church to respond in love to those affected by the AIDS crisis that was still in its early stages in the late 80's. The song also played a powerful part in my own life as I began the process of dismounting my legalistic high horse and began to see all people as souls Christ suffered for.

I found a site that has the lyrics of the song, and also a site where you can listen to the song. This song is definitely on my you-must-listen-to-this-song list!

Along with mentioning this song today, I want to ask two serious questions.

My first question is, "What's your beef?"

That is, as a Christian in today's world, what issue(s) are you so against that it keeps you from seeing others as Christ sees them - as souls He suffered for? What behavior(s) are other people involved in that keep you more focused on their outward appearance rather than what's going on in their hearts in regards to their need to be loved?

Is it homosexuality? Is it abortion? Is it the political persuasion of others? Is it their alcohol use? Is it drugs? Is it a certain cause that others don't agree with you on? Is it abuse? Is it injustice? Is is skin color? Is it their tobacco use? Is it their foul mouth? Is it their lewd behavior?

The issues themselves are endless. It just seems to me that the church today is known more for what they're against than they are known for actually loving and putting their arms around those for whom Christ died.

With all this being said, I don't mean for this to be confession time. :) My purpose here isn't to try to get people to "come out" publicly about various issues that they've been judgmental about. You can perhaps deal with those things in your own heart. Not that I mean to belittle or neglect any of these issues - I know how deeply penetrating some of these subjects can be. But my purpose here isn't to start a discussion on any specific issue. I simply listed a few issues that tend to be areas of contention in Christian culture today.

What this really leads up to is my second question. If you personally know and admit that, like me, you are lacking in love (whether often or from time to time) toward people who display certain kinds of behaviors, then this question, which I've asked myself a lot of times and continue to ask myself, is for you.

Do you trust Jesus to make these people whole?

My question is derived from part of Steve Camp's song:

Oh empty eyes, and lonely souls
Starving for love and crying for hope
And Jesus said, "Bring them unto Me.
I will make them whole, I can set them free"

Is it possible for us as the church - the body of Christ - to look beneath the surface of the outward appearances and behavior of others, even when it manifests itself in its filthiest and most detestable forms, and not only see the need for love, but be (fulfill) the need for love in others?

Your thoughts? I'll address this question and the subject of trusting Christ to make people whole in Part 2.