Do you sit with sinners?

  Do you sit with sinners?

Marks gospel records,

“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.

Sadly over the years I’ve met far too many people claiming to be Christians who don’t sit down with “sinners”. Who don’t follow the example of Jesus. 

These same people sadly are also quick to judge those they see as being sinners. They are quick to point out the sin and tell them to repent and turn to God or end up in hell.

There is however a problem with this way of doing things. Many people Christians would consider sinners don’t believe they are. Many don’t believe in God or hell. That’s why telling them they need to “repent” or go to hell means nothing.

Jesus said,

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

It’s not the job of a Christians to judge anyone, or tell anyone where they will spend eternity. That is God’s job.

It is the Christians job to follow the example of Jesus. To sit down with all people especially those they think are sinning and present the Love of Christ Jesus to them. Then let them decide for themselves what they want to do.

So if you believe you are a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, are you sitting down with sinners in a nonjudgmental way?

Please think about it.