Far too often I’ve heard Christians say, somewhat sheepishly, but with a hint of self-righteousness, that they really have nothing in common with non-Christians. That’s why they don’t have many (or any) not-yet believing friends.
Or they tell me that they don’t hang out with lost people, or allow their kids to, because they are trying to remain “holy” and don’t want to become polluted by the world. And to those objections I almost want to laugh and ask them if they have ever really read their Bibles or have you looked in a mirror recently?
Scripture and virtually all of history have shown us that if there is one thing we have most in common with every other human being, it’s our own sinful nature. Yet usually we let other’s sins define them and divide us, when in fact we are all sinners in need of a savior. We’re all dying, literally, and in need of rescue. We’re just alike. [clickToTweet tweet=”Often we let other’s sins define them and divide us.#FriendOfSinners” quote=”Often we let other’s sins define them and divide us. #FriendOfSinners”]
Clean Sinners and Dirty Sinners
A friend once told me there are two kinds of sinners: clean sinners and dirty sinners.
Clean sinners are those that grew up obeying their parents, tried hard at school, avoided drugs and general debauchery etc. They may have even come to faith at an early age.
And then there are the dirty sinners. Those who pushed the boundaries and tried everything life had to offer. Their particular brand of sinning was super-evident and showed on the surface.
Which one are you? I’m definitely a dirty sinner.
To be clear though, both are just as much in need of a savior and have a common bond; their self-pride and belief that they are better than they actually are.
But I Don’t Want To Get…Dirty
As for the idea that we should avoid the dirty sinners to remain holy—come on! Jesus was the holiest person who ever walked on this planet. In fact, his holiness—the way he perfectly imaged the character and nature of God—is what led him to hang out with people that the religious establishment had declared unclean. [clickToTweet tweet=”My ongoing relationships, especially those on the margins, begin when I profoundly grasp God’s grace.” quote=”Our ongoing involvement and relationship with others, especially those on the margins, begins when we profoundly grasp God’s grace.”]
Our ongoing involvement and relationship with others, especially those on the margins, begins when we profoundly grasp God’s grace. Our selfish and fearful instincts are to keep our distance. But Jesus let people like that kiss his feet. He’s the friend of riffraff, traitors, the unrespectable, drunks, druggies, prostitutes, the mentally ill, the broken, and the needy—people whose lives are a mess. He ate with them, hung out with them, and invited them on a journey.[i]
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” (Matthew 11:19)
If you were to honestly look at your life, your church, or maybe even the denomination you are a part of, could anyone ever bring this same accusation against you?
Are you a friend of sinners?
Some people respond to this Matthew 11:19 verse saying, “No! Jesus is not a friend to sinners, only to those who obey him.” And they cite John 15:14 as their justification. “You are my friends if you do what I command.”
What a horrible example of proof-texting! The entire passage there has Jesus explaining how he loved his disciples and chose them while they were still jacked up and far from God.
Can you imagine a parent saying that to their kids? “You are only my child when you obey me. Otherwise I don’t love you and I’m against you” What? That would be crazy.
And it is.
That is not God’s heart! That is the exact opposite of the heart of our Father and his son, Jesus.
So, the next best time to get out there and mix it up with all of your fellow sinners is now. Go for it. Have a ball, have a blast and let your ongoing redemption show! Let folks see the transformation that has and is occurring in your life because of Jesus. It will give them hope that he wants to be their friend too.
Would you please tweet this, Facebook post this or somehow share this with your friends right now? And leave me your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks!
[i] Tim Chester, A Meal with Jesus: Discovering Grace, Community, and Mission around the Table (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011). Kindle edition.
