Sunday Reflection: Friending

All my life I’ve heard it said that churches are filled with hypocrites.  I don’t argue that statement. Others in attendance are: adulterers, gossipers, haters, liars, thieves, murderers, fill in the blank                                         .

Many people live lives inspired by Jesus's example, but some do not.

Jesus has always been a friend to messed up people, but when we truly follow Jesus, change should occur within our hearts and minds. We will show mercy over cruelty, love over hate and become a friend over foe. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NIV)

Jesus proved his love and his friendship by dying for humankind and taking the sin of the world upon himself so that all  messed up people could, if they choose, be saved (John 3:16).

Rebuked by the self-righteous for being in the presence of sinful people, Jesus continued to love those who needed his love:
  • He dined with tax collectors and sinners. Matthew 9-9:13
  • He allowed a morally wrong woman to bathe his feet first with her tears and then with costly oils. Luke: 7:36-50
 “While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.  When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2: 15-17 (NIV)

Christians aren't perfect, just being perfected for eternity. 
 
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.
(Jesus Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns)

 


Blessings,
T

Sources and links: The lyrics in this song are poetic, speaking awesome truths.  Jesus Friend of Sinners sung by Casting Crowns

Comments

Jesus hung out with those who needed him most.
Good thing we don't have to be perfect because we can never achieve that.
JoJo said…
To be honest, some of the kindest, non-hypocrite, give you the shirt off their back, willing to help people have been atheists and pagans and some people who attend church every week and profess to be Christian are just really nasty, selfish, judgmental people. I think if you live a good life and be a good person, that's all anyone can ask.
Pat Hatt said…
There will always be those pesky tax collectors to help lol
Stephanie Faris said…
No, Christians aren't perfect. Churches are made up of a variety of people, all of whom are just trying to do their best. Yes, there are adulterers and alcoholics and people who think impure thoughts and swear...they're in church alongside those who rarely sin at all. The worst sin I've ever seen in churchgoers is gossiping, to be honest. That seems to be a very popular sin in church. Well, that and gluttony. Gluttony seems to get us all, doesn't it?
Naqvee said…
The world needs the Messiah to cure and relieve them from the sins which have become a part of life. Indeed, his coming is relief for all of us!
Love, Naqvee
Terri Tiffany said…
I actually love it when people who don't go to church tell me it's because it is filled with hypocrites. I say you are right! Where they should be! And then the person doesn't know how to respond. It gives me the chance to maybe take a step with them.
I love Casting Crowns version of I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY. I even wrote a tribute to it one Christmas, using my Victor Standish: http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-ghost-of-god.html

2000 years ago there were Pharisees. It is not too surprising there are now. Besides if only perfect people were allowed in church, it would be a very empty building!

Yet so many times a car will cut rudely in front of me, and there is a bright Christian Fish symbol on its bumper. How many terrible examples does that one driver give of Christianity?

But to deny ourselves the comfort of worship due to the faults of others is self-defeating, right? :-)
Arlee Bird said…
So true! Jesus Christ is the best friend a person can have and we should all use the example he set to teach us how to be a good friend to others.

Lee
Tossing It Out
David P. King said…
When people truly get it, He benefits everyone. :)

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