He Ate with Publicans and Sinners (Part 3)
Like Jesus, we ought to be telling lost sinners about the gospel. These classes of society desperately need the power of the gospel (1 Cor.6:9-11). We must focus our efforts upon bringing these to salvation through preaching a message of repentance and love, not through shunning and isolating them. We must spend time among them and get to know them personally (as did Jesus) so that we can call them to repent appropriately.
We ought not to criticize those who are trying to do such. Such displays a true Pharisaical attitude toward preaching the gospel to the lost. I’m opposed to homosexuality, adultery, murder, and immodesty, but I want these people to repent and be saved. If that means that I must be involved in wholesome community events where these people are at, then I will be there. When we oppose those, who are associating with these kinds of people to help them come to the gospel and repent, we are really saying that a certain class of people are not worthy of the gospel. God is no respecter of persons (Rom.2:11; Acts 10:34), and neither ought Christians to be.
We have a great challenge to take the gospel to the lost. Instead of criticizing efforts to do that job, we ought to be supportive. Those who discourage others in this way are often the least involved in evangelistic efforts. Such criticism is not only discouraging, but hypocritical (Matthew 7:1-5). Let us always remember the words of Paul, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Tim.1:15). Let us obey our Master, go into the world, and preach the gospel (Matthew 28:19, 20).
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley