“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32
YES Jesus was a friend of publicans and sinners – because He loves all men and came to die for all men (1 John 2:2).
“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 Timothy 1:15
Bible 101
Jesus came to die to save sinners. And, anyone not preaching this paramount Gospel truth is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Interestingly, most pastors today avoid the biblical topic of sin which removes the dilemma Jesus came and died to solve….. Beware!
Yes, Jesus is the “friend of publicans and sinners!” – whom He came specifically to save them from that sin, because it separates them from Him and the Father who are “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; Luke 7:34)
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Acting is if we love Jesus and others by befriending the lost and yet not disclosing to them their separation from God due to sin, is evil.
In a recent conversation, a brother and sister in Christ said:
Tina says:
One brother says:
“I know that’s right! I’d rather be in a room full of unbelievers myself. Truth be told, heretics are not even our brothers or sisters. They’re preaching another gospel and deceiving the simple. Not only are they lost, they have blood on their hands! They’re blinded by hubris.”
Are you sinfully Angry? (Ephesians 4:26; James 1:20)
If you are preaching hard against sin you better be preaching hard on mercy too – because without it, YOU, self-righteous hypocrite, are doomed to eternal damnation (Matthew 21:31). “Repentance AND remission of sins” is to be preached – not just one but both (Luke 24:47). Memorize James 1:20. Sit down. Shut up. Learn of the LORD. Be accountable for your own sin first and foremost (Matthew 7:1-5; Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 1:8-10). The very reason you are not living the crucified life, the cross, is the reason your don’t preach it and it is the only solution GOD gave for sin. What’s Romans 6:7 say? Case closed.
Today’s self-righteous preachers preach as if everyone needs to repent except them. They preach hard against sin but never offer the only solution to holiness – the cross! Wow. Romans 6
Preaching Against Sin but Not Offering the LORD’s Solution to Overcome Sin?
I agree fully with these observations and it’s much more peaceful among rank sinners. Sounds like Jesus’ life on earth. He was a friend of sinners but hated by the false religionists of His day.
Jesus did not befriend religious hypocrites but He did befriend and seek to help, to save sinners – and so should we.
Some today have chosen to take a harsh, self-righteous stance against the wicked, instead of the biblical posture. When Jesus’ disciples did such, what was our LORD’s reply?
“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56
Some today are completely misguided, as were Jesus’ young disciples.
Our heavenly Father went so far as to send and allow His only begotten Son to be crucified in order to rescue, to save the world.
“For God so LOVED (not hated!) THE WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16-17
James 4:4 is misused by some. They say we are not to befriend sinners and use this verse as a proof text:
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4
“A friend of the world” is different than being a friend to a sinner in order to win him (1 Corinthians 9:22). In this context of James 4:4, “a friend of the world” is one who conforms to the sin of the world and not one who befriends a sinner in order to win him to Christ.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
To demonstrate God’s love to the lost is to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” This is so they can “see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Paul said that we’d have to leave the world to get away from all sinner (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). We are in this world temporarily to be the salt and light of Christ (Matthew 5:13-16).
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
The very same spirit of antichrist dwells in the self-righteous false religionists of our day as dwelt in the Pharisees of Christ’s day. notice below how these self-righteous false leaders specifically condemned Jesus for being “a friend of publicans and sinners!”
“But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.” Luke 7:30-35
How could we win them if we are so busy condemning them?
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that WINNETH souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
“The more we grow in grace and the knowledge (relational) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (who is holy) the more capacity there is to reach out to “sinners” because it’s Christ’s love in us doing that. We are in the world but not of the world. We are of Christ who while we were yet sinners…….. So, instead of becoming more haughty, snooty, pharisaical, hypocritical, self-righteous and “holier than thou,” we are filled with the very mercy, truth and compassion of Jesus! Truly “the great exchange.” Debbie L.
And even the very grace of Christ that is growing in us is of HIS doing and for HIS glory! He is the potter and we are the clay — the work of the Father’s hands.
Christ’s apostle Paul said:
“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22
The following words of Christ completely expose the message of the self-righteous posture this video assumes:
“And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. 30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:29-32
IF Jesus wasn’t our friend “while we were yet sinners,” we’d all still be doomed (Romans 5:6-8).
“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.” Luke 6:32
Jesus is saying or asking the rhetorical question: “What godly good have you done if you don’t reach out to those who hate God and you – sinners?” It seems that part of what Christ is teaching here is for His people to reach out to, greet, and befriend people they don’t already know, including sinners.
Personally, I’ve lost count of all the people the LORD has had me befriend who later repented and received Jesus!
Jesus not only was a friends of sinners, He still is a friend of sinners and so is His true body. Jesus calls those sinners to repentance.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
The Holy Spirit and God’s People are Calling Sinners to Christ
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
Those who take an enemy position against the lost for whom Jesus died, are blinded in their own sin. To these self-righteous hypocrites, Jesus says:
“Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:31
Matthew 5
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect (mature in your perspective), even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:44-48
The heart posture of the disciple, the student of Christ is conveyed in the following passage:
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto ALL MEN, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure (perhaps) will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Prayerfully declaring this truth aloud this morning will help defuse that fleshly self-righteousness that is part of the fallen nature – and posture us to invite sinners to the Savior.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
How mercy works in the divine economy …. Memorize and live Matthew 5:7; Ephesians 4:32.
What Does “Be ye Separate” Mean and What Does it Not Mean?
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Abiding
5 Loaves, 2 Fishes, and 12 Baskets Left Over [podcast]
“And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.” Galatians 2:9-10
Did Jesus come as a celebrity or servant? Read Philippians 2 each morning this week.
“Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Matthew 5:42
“Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” Luke 6:30
“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. 11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24:12
FEEDING THE POOR IN SPIRIT AND STOMACH: Because you care, you prayed, you gave….. Cenovio, a homeless man, was treated to the hearing of our LORD’s bless-ed Gospel message, a delicious hot meal, hot coffee, fresh water, and a JESUS tract. It was a super blessed time with this man. Thank God and you!
Would you like to pause and pray for Cenovio? | Mission Mexico
Of Jesus feeding the multitudes, one source notes:
“Jesus fed a large crowd on at least two occasions, most notably feeding 5,000 men plus women and children with five loaves and two fish, and later feeding 4,000 men plus women and children with seven loaves and a few fish. The miracles occurred when Jesus had compassion on the hungry crowds who had been following him, and the food multiplied supernaturally, leaving 12 baskets of leftovers in the first instance and seven in the second.”


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The Psychology of Eternal Security [book]
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Abiding
10 Truths to Behold in Isaiah 41:10 [podcast]
“Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not
cast thee away. 10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen
thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold
thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:9-10
There are 10 truths to behold in Isaiah 41:10:
• “Thou art my servant”
• “I have chosen thee”
• “and not cast thee away”
• “Fear thou not”
• “I am with thee”
• “be not dismayed”
• “for I am thy God”
• “I will strengthen thee”
• “I will help thee”
• “I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”
The soul that prospers is that one who clings to, trusts in and
relies upon Christ alone, day by day, walking ever nearer to
the soon coming Savior. He is with us and promises to “never
leave thee, nor forsake thee”—that is, for those who abide
with Christ (Hebrews 13:5).
1 Peter 1
“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Prayer: Dear LORD, thank You for helping me today, and
continuing the good work of salvation You began in me the
moment You saved me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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