Jesus Friend of Sinners - Insulated But Not Isolated

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and an excessive drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!" - Luke 7:33-34

There are two points to be taken from Luke. The first is that it does not matter what you do as a Christian - in John's case - total abstinence or in Jesus' case, associating with sinners - the world will find fault and thereby an excuse to reject the message that we all are sinners and Jesus Saves.

The second is that Jesus was sent by the Father to save sinners and so He "mixed it up" with sinners. Not participating in their sin but meeting them where they were. Showing them the love of God. The righteous had no need of a physician or Savior - only the sin sick did and do. 

"And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” - Mark 2:16-17

That reminds me of the fact that "there are none righteous - no, not one." (Romans 3:10) and "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). That leaves no "wiggle room" for the self-righteous - those who resent the Gospel - who are legion.

So, what are we to do with regards to our mingling with sinners. We are to be like the fish in the sea. The fish live their lives in salt water but are not salty. Those fish are insulated from the salt. In a similar way, we live in a sinful world - in which we are to be insulated but not isolated. We are not to participate in the sinful life, from which, as Christians, we were all saved. But we are to engage those who are sinners by showing them the love of God. Abstaining from the evil they do but not avoiding them because of it. Instead leading them to repentance.

I once heard someone say, "You can't lead where you won't go. You can't teach what you don't know. And you can only recreate what you are." To be an effective witness and to be like Jesus was with sinners, you must be spiritually prepared and protected. 

"He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed." - Prov 13:20

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." - Matthew 5:13-15

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone