Behind this question is a longing we all have to belong. You'd think people who follow Jesus whose message was love would be loving and welcoming, but far too often this isn't the case. Why not? In Luke 19, Jesus tells a parable that gets to the heart of why. When the basis for our belonging is on our behavior - whether that's our actions, our attitudes, our opinions - we create a IN group and an OUT group. But as the tax collector knows in Jesus' story, the basis for belonging isn't on behavior, but on grace. And if belonging is based on grace, it creates true community.
