The Notorious JC
Luke 15:1 – Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.
*
Here is one of my weaknesses. I look at my own life and I don’t see this happening. I have never been attractive to the non believer the way that Jesus was. I have friends who are, people just feel right at home with them, but I don’t know what it is about me. Now I know all the rules, and I don’t find myself to be very judgmental, but I can’t seem to attract those who don’t know the Lord. My friends have been Christians for about six years now. I can’t believe that as I write it, but I haven’t had a close non Christian friend in at least five years. So what was it about Jesus that made the sinners come running? What am I missing from the equation? Jesus spent some time a lot of time with sinners, but even when I am in that place, I feel that people steer clear. Maybe that is just my insecurity. I worked for a year and a half at a restaurant recently, and I never once went out to do something with anybody from work. I guess I am just a chicken. I was invited to a few parties, but never had the balls to go. I think the main reason for that is that, is that I feel uncomfortable there. I feel like I have nothing to talk about. I feel like I can’t relate. I do relate, but not in the perfect way I would want to. But I know the bottom line is to just have some guts and hang out with the non Christians. I am not very good at making friends anymore in general which makes the task even harder. But I feel that this is very important. To be more like Christ, I need to hang out with sinners more. That’s simple.
*
Lord let this not just be lip service to you. Help me to follow through with what you say in your word. I want notorious sinners to often come to hear me speak, or just so much as enjoy my presence. I know you are calling me to befriend the lost. I pray you would start with Joe from work. Help me to reach him for you. Forget about that, I know you will take care of that, just help me to really befriend him. God I love you , help me to love the lost the way you do.
posted by Thomas at 10:45 AM
3 Comments:
being non-christian & being a "sinner" are not synonymous
perhaps you could consider that what might be driving people away is your small-minded judgemental attitude towards them
<3,
mungojelly
11:41 PM
YOu know Thomas, I am reminded of Peter when he gets out of the boat in Matthew 25 (?). Matthew went for the gold right away, but saw the storm while he was already walking on water. Perhaps you are just looking over the side ofthe boat and see the storm before the reward, which in Peter's case was Jesus. Other than that though, I have also found myself in similar situations and though I have difficulty forming relationships outside of the church, I find that I am able to start and perhaps cultivale relationships later on through consistancy. For example, every week for about 4 months I would go to breakfast and every week I had the same waiter, well after a time, we started the process of beginning to understand each other. I think also that in order for us to build realtionships, we must first be open, wrather, appear to have the time to devote to someone in that relationship. I find that I struggle with that part too, so you are not alone. Be Blessed brother
11:50 PM
mungojelly
thanks a lot for the criticism. I appreciate any kind here. Hope you read my response, and understand where I am comming from a little better. It is in the post titled "The Crowd Favorite".
10:18 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home