Friend of Sinners

Allow me to ask you a question; How are we supposed to impact the world if we stay within our comfort zones? How are we to touch the lives of the lost if we never take the time to become involved in their lives? Romans 10:14-15 But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How welcome are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things! In today’s culture most people are not going to just walk through the doors of a church. It is our job (we are the Church) to take Jesus to the world.

Jesus was called a friend of sinners. If you don’t believe me, take a look at Luke 7:34. The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Why was Jesus called a friend of sinners? The answer is simple, Jesus could be found hanging around with sinful people. Jesus’ friends were tax collectors (the IRS has a long history of being hated), prostitutes, fishermen, and other people that were considered the low life’s of the world. Mark 2:15-16 gives an account of the judgments made against Jesus. 15 While He was reclining at the table in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were also guests with Jesus and His disciples, because there were many who were following Him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked His disciples, "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

I love the answer that Jesus gives in Mark 2:17 in response to the Pharisees. 17 When Jesus heard this, He told them, "Those who are well don't need a doctor, but the sick [do need one]. I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners."

What is the greatest excuse Christians have for not reaching into the lives of the unchurched? The reason generally given is that we do not know any non Christians. The purpose of the “Church” is to impact the world for Christ. It is our job to share Jesus. This means that we need to stop segregating ourselves and begin relationships with people outside of our own little circles. We need to learn to see people through God’s eyes and love people with God’s heart.

We cannot expect those that are far from God to walk into a church somewhere. We also have to understand that Jesus placed himself in situations that required him to interact with people in need. Are you willing to go into the world and truly be "the Church"?