Friendship 预览

Friends of Sinners

Jesus was a friend of sinners and saints. Sometimes as believers, we believe that we are only supposed to befriend the saints, right? We form our little cliques and believe we should not hang out with any of those people whom we view as sinners, but if we think about it, we were and are all sinners. Jesus is the most excellent example in our lives; He was a friend of sinners. 

In the Gospels, including the book of Matthew, we read that Jesus was a friend of tax collectors, sinners, drunkards, and gluttons. So much so, that people told Him, “You must be just like them.” 

You see, Jesus Christ did not hang out with sinners to justify and participate in sin. He stepped into their lives, desiring to make a difference. He wanted to shine in such a way that they would be able to see something better, something greater. He wanted to show them that there was more than the lifestyle they were living. 

We should hang out with people that do not know Christ. But we do not hang out to justify our participation in sin. We hang out so that we can show them something better that will make a difference in their life. We befriend people to be able to connect with them and show them the love of Christ. We have to show care, but we also have to be careful.

In Proverbs, it says, “Don’t make friends with anyone who has a bad temper. You might turn out like them and get caught in a trap.” Do you ever get around somebody and start complaining similar to the way they complain? You start getting mad like they get mad. Do you ever get around somebody else and begin to gossip a little bit more than what you would really want to do? Because they just kind of pull that out of you. We can actually get pulled down. If I were to stand up on a chair, it would be easier for you to pull me down than it would be for me to lift you up. We have to be careful. 

We can get influenced and, all of a sudden, become materialistic, angry, or gossipy. Then, the sea has begun to come into the boat. Either you’ll get pulled into the same stuff they’re doing, or they’ll get in trouble for it and you’ll get thrown into the same lot as they. Bad company corrupts good morals. George Washington said, “Associate yourself with men of quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than to be in bad company.”

Yes, be friends with sinners. Why? Because we are all sinners and struggle with sin. Do not become a holy huddle as a church. But be careful. Step out in confidence and make a difference in those who need Christ. Begin to pray for people you know need Jesus, and allow the Spirit to guide you in befriending and ministering to them.