I was careful to not word my title as "sinners" (since we all are), but I'm specifically talking about people outside of the Christian faith.
When I was attending traditional church, I knew someone who was going through a rough time. They wanted to know more about Christianity, so because I was "generally new" to understanding it, I couldn't answer some of the questions they had at that time. So I asked an elder in my church if they could help (I explained my friends situation briefly, including their alcohol addiction), the elder agreed to meet with my friend, in a public place, just so long as they weren't drinking (or drunk). I have seen this kind of unwillingness to engage with people outside of the church or denomination often and it makes me wonder, why? When Jesus himself engaged with "sinners" (although he did not sin) he never turned people away who needed his help.
Why then, are there people and church groups who treat the Christian faith like its an exclusive club? It's like the scripture that says "be in the world but not of the world", makes many people think they have to completely separate themselves from all "outsiders".
But did Jesus do this? No. He was accused by the Pharisees because he ate and drank with sinners, so they tried to make him "guilty by association".
Even Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15-16:
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
So what makes so many Christians today, averse to following this example? Because they believe they will fall into sin? Be "contaminated" by it? It seems counter-productive to me to have faith in God, but simultaneously shut ourselves within a church building or a group of fellow believers, and not step out to share the good news of the gospel whenever we can.
Luke 5:30-32
30 But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?[a]”
31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
Matthew 11:19
19 The Son of Man,[a] on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
1 Timothy 1:15-17
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
When I was attending traditional church, I knew someone who was going through a rough time. They wanted to know more about Christianity, so because I was "generally new" to understanding it, I couldn't answer some of the questions they had at that time. So I asked an elder in my church if they could help (I explained my friends situation briefly, including their alcohol addiction), the elder agreed to meet with my friend, in a public place, just so long as they weren't drinking (or drunk). I have seen this kind of unwillingness to engage with people outside of the church or denomination often and it makes me wonder, why? When Jesus himself engaged with "sinners" (although he did not sin) he never turned people away who needed his help.
Why then, are there people and church groups who treat the Christian faith like its an exclusive club? It's like the scripture that says "be in the world but not of the world", makes many people think they have to completely separate themselves from all "outsiders".
But did Jesus do this? No. He was accused by the Pharisees because he ate and drank with sinners, so they tried to make him "guilty by association".
Even Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15-16:
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
So what makes so many Christians today, averse to following this example? Because they believe they will fall into sin? Be "contaminated" by it? It seems counter-productive to me to have faith in God, but simultaneously shut ourselves within a church building or a group of fellow believers, and not step out to share the good news of the gospel whenever we can.
Luke 5:30-32
30 But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?[a]”
31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
Matthew 11:19
19 The Son of Man,[a] on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
1 Timothy 1:15-17
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
