Word of the Week: “You Can Sit With Me” — Grace Has a Seat for Everyone

Bro. David Woodard | The Weekly Ledger News | Faith & Inspiration Column

You got hammered at the bar on Saturday but came to church on Sunday…

You can sit with me. You’re right where you need to be.

You’re a drug addict but came to church on Sunday…

You can sit with me. You’re right where you need to be.

You’re divorced and the last church you attended condemned you for it…

You can sit with me. You’re right where you need to be.

You’ve had an abortion and it’s slowly eating away at your heart, but you came to church on Sunday…

You can sit with me. You’re right where you need to be.

You’ve been unfaithful to your spouse but came to church on Sunday…

You can sit with me. You’re right where you need to be.

Here’s the thing—people don’t come to church on Sunday so others can sit quietly in the pews and judge them because they believe they are somehow better.

People come to church because, in their deepest, darkest, most painful moments, they heard about a man named Jesus who could save their soul—and they want to know Him.

The man who just snorted cocaine off his kitchen table is not a bigger sinner than the one who told their boss a lie on Monday just to leave work early.

The woman who had an abortion 10 years ago is not a bigger sinner than the one who flipped someone off in traffic last week because they were cut off.

The drunk man passed out at the bar is not a bigger sinner than the one who occasionally drinks too much at home in private.

The woman who was caught cheating on her husband is not a bigger sinner than the one who had sex with their now-husband before marriage.

Stop judging others because their sin looks different than yours.

Romans 3:23–24 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

There is not a single person in this world who is too bad, too broken, too mean, or too damaged for Jesus to save.

Romans 10:13 declares, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Final Encouragement

Church is not a showcase for perfect people—it is a refuge for the broken. Grace does not come with prerequisites, background checks, or sin comparisons. Jesus did not come to reward those who already had it together; He came to rescue those who knew they didn’t.

If you walked through the church doors carrying shame, regret, or wounds that no one else sees, know this: there is a seat for you, and you belong.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your mercy that meets us where we are, not where we pretend to be. Help us to see others the way You see them—with compassion, grace, and love. Remove any spirit of judgment from our hearts and replace it with humility and understanding. Remind us daily that we are all in need of Your grace, and that none of us are beyond Your saving power. May our churches be places of healing, not condemnation, and may our lives reflect the love of Christ in all we do.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

About the Columnist:

Bro. David Woodard is a faith leader and speaker committed to sharing biblical truth, encouragement, and hope through practical, Scripture-based messages. He is available for preaching, special services, and church revivals.

For speaking engagements or inquiries, Bro. Woodard can be reached at 256-393-4992.

If you would like to learn more about Jesus and salvation, or if you are in need of prayer, Bro. Woodard invites you to reach out to him.

Email: DWoodard4Bama@gmail.com 

Phone/Text: 256-393-4992

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