Will they find God's love and hope in our church?

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When I read this verse, I had to go back and read the beginning of chapter 15. The context of this verse from the disciple Paul is about "gentiles." Gentiles in those days were despicable people who in a jew's mind, despised the law, the established religion and therefore God.

I know that most Christians are technically "gentiles" but just go along with me here. So if we were to draw a parallel today, who would qualify as a modern day "gentile" in today's "Christian" view?

Someone who doesn't go to church, unbelievers, drunks, gays and lesbians, prostitutes, abortionists, top-less dancers, etc.? Basically, anyone who is constantly told they are going to hell and that heaven is out of their reach.

NEWSFLASH: This verse is for them!

Attention gentiles: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

So while this verse offers hope, Paul begins this chapter with "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." Meaning, we who are strong, we who have Jesus in our heart, we who have the assurance of eternity in our minds, we in the church, should be looking at the "gentiles" in terms of support and love.

Unfortunately, too many people in today's church do the exact opposite. We don't bear the failings of the weak, instead we frown upon those who don't fit our mold. Their hope, dashed by judgment, hate and pride.

Gentiles are looking for hope. Hope that is provisioned by God's love. The key question we should ask: Will they find God's love and hope in our church?