Sinner Friends

"Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained saying, 'This Man receives sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:1-2).

I am intrigued by the responses I have received whenever I have shared my faith with sinners:

• Businessman: "You are right; I need to give my spiritual life more attention."
• Man who had sex change: "Would you pray for me?"
• Carpenter: "I realize God is trying to get my attention."
• Airline agent: "I would rather not talk about it."
• Another airline agent: "I can't thank you enough for sharing with me today."
• Restaurant hostess: "Dear Jesus, please forgive me of my sin."

Luke 15 is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. Once again, Jesus upset the religious status quo, this time by reaching out and befriending sinners and tax collectors. The local tax collectors were not held in high esteem, to say the least. They were the scum at the bottom of the barrel.

But Jesus went out of His way to make a point about who He esteems. He shares three stories: the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7), the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), and the lost son (Luke 15:11-32). It's as if Jesus cares more about the lost than the found.

Why? Because His mission is clear: seek and save the lost (Luke19:10).
Why? Because Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance (Mark 2:17).
Why? Because God is love (1 John 4:7-8).

That's right... Jesus loves sinners. He can't help Himself... it's part of His holy DNA. After all, He saved you and me, and He loves us enough to having left His holy heaven to demonstrate His great love. Each and every day God's Holy Spirit is drawing sinners of all kinds: liars, cursers, sex addicts, homosexuals, robbers and cheats to His love. These He esteems!

Here's our challenge. Are we mature and complete enough in our faith to befriend sinners on His behalf? Having received God's magnificent love, do we love enough to share Him with sinners? OR, will we stay in our holy huddles, our churches and our small groups praying for God to send someone else?

Go ahead... ask Jesus for more 'sinner-friends.' It's why He rose again.

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org