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.
Rebuked by the self-righteous for being in the presence of sinful people, Jesus continued to love those who needed his love:
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).
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.
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.
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
T
Sources and links: The lyrics in this song are poetic, speaking awesome truths. Jesus Friend of Sinners sung by Casting Crowns
Comments
Good thing we don't have to be perfect because we can never achieve that.
Love, Naqvee
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? :-)
Lee
Tossing It Out