Recognize that Christ didn’t just hang out with sinners; He initiated contact, He enjoyed being in their presence, He accepted their gifts, and He publicly defended them in many instances.
In all love and truth, we can identify that many Christians have so removed themselves from “The World” that not only are they safe from the world’s influence, but the world is safe from any influence Christ might have on them. Have found yourself in that sphere? Please contact me and join us for an outreach.
The pastor at my church gave an altar call describing the joy in Heaven when one sinner repents (Luke 15:3-7). If our hearts utmost desire is to please God, we should focus on where God finds His greatest Joy. And that’s not in a Church. As difficult as that may be to accept, God loves us dearly, but we are not his greatest passion. Jesus’ greatest joy is the return of the one last sheep [sinner], not the 99 righteous who don’t need saving.
If God’s greatest joy is to be reconnected with sinners, doesn’t it make sense to be involved in God’s greatest joy. (Where ever you can?)
You don’t have to have a “gift” to speak to the lost, just a voice and a desire/obedience to “go”. Remember, someone told you the Good News, that’s how you got saved. And that’s all you have to do with others…tell through your deeds and words! Besides, If you are already saved, you already know more spiritually than a lost person, and you can share one of the most powerful miracles God has performed.
1 Pet 3:15 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense…..yet with gentleness and reverence…”
“As Christians we are the byproduct of Christ’s biggest miracle. We are the evidence that Christ is alive today and still changing lives. The Holy Spirit in us is the result of that miracle, and it is there to help us and be a testament to every person who has yet to meet Christ. The ‘Spirit’ in me is the miracle that proves Christ’s deity, death, and resurrection. I am the connection. Christ is still performing miracles today. The act of salvation: when anyone accepts Christ, experiences the forgiveness of sins, and receives the Holy Spirit, is certainly a miracle of the grandest design.”
1 John 2:4 - "IF someone claims, 'I know God,' but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth."
Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Mark 16:15 - "And then he [Jesus] told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone."
Those last 2 verses sound like a couple of commands.....
In Christ,
Jeff Sobieralski
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