Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. Luke 15:1
In many social groups people will often get together only with those of the same social status. Often it is because they have various life factors in common and can understand each other. Looking up is always acceptable, but looking down to someone else is often frowned upon. The world wants to keep people in their place and for no one to upset or change the flow of things.
Luke records that the tax collectors and sinners began to draw near to Jesus to hear what He had to say.
In the world there are ultimately only two classes of people–those being saved and those not being saved. Every person begins in the class of not being saved for everyone has sinned against God and brought on His judgement against them.
Over time, there have been many who have heard the gospel message of Jesus and chosen to believe in Him and be saved. The only way that they could hear the gospel message is for someone who already knows it to tell them. If no one tells them the message, they cannot believe it.
Sadly, in the church, many have done one of two things. They either never meet with sinners to bring them the truth or they join with sinners in their sin and don’t tell them the truth.
When Jesus met with sinners, they were changed. They would turn from their sin and follow Him.
Believers need to meet with sinners, not to join them, but to bring them the truth. As the sinner is presented the truth about Jesus, lives will be changed. Purpose and meaning in life will be found. True life will be found, and lives will be saved.
At some point in your life someone chose to share the gospel truth about Jesus with you. Had that not occurred, you would not be saved. All around you are people who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Some may not have even heard of Him.
Make it your mission today to go out and meet with the lost. You do not need to be a full time missionary or pastor to share the gospel message with a person. You have a testimony of what God has done in your life. Share that message and give the sinners a chance to be saved.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will open doors for you to share the gospel message with the lost; that God would draw many to Jesus through you; and that God would give you the strength be around sinners without taking a part in their sin.
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
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