“And it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:15-17
“They're going to hell, and you’re glad they’re going there.” I have mentioned this comment made to me by a brother from a liberal congregation once before, but I have to tell you, it bothers me. It should bother you, too, because this is a common tactic used against New Testament Christians who still ask for the old paths (cf.Jer. 6:16-17). If you teach the exclusivity of the church, people assume that you absolutely hate the lost among the religions of the world and are elated at their demise. If this were the case, I could not be a faithful Christian!
The Gospel is For Sinners!
It is incompatible with following Christ to be against sinners! Why, because Christ is for sinners. He is not for sinners remaining sinners, but He is in the business of redeeming sinners from sin. Jesus could tell you that you were in sin and still show the most perfect example of care and love to redeem you from it. One such case is the familiar story of when Jesus told the tax collector Levi, whom Jesus saw sitting at a tax booth, and said: follow me. How can Jesus not be for sinners if He calls sinners to follow Him? I am certain that all of you who are in Christ came to be in Christ by first being sinners, otherwise, you would be sinlessly perfect and without sin. To be a tax collector, especially a Jewish (His name is Levi) was a detestable position. First, he served the Roman occupiers. Secondly, the collector was often corrupt and would seek to line his own pockets. Jesus said to such a one as this, follow me. When we teach about sin, the motivation must not be to make an enemy, but to make a Christian. Not to be an ally to sin, but to be a messenger of how one can overcome sin in Christ.
The Sick Need a Doctor!
After Levi followed the Lord, they came to Levi’s house and they ate. As they gathered there, more sinners and tax collectors came in to eat with them. Who else does Levi know who would typically eat with him? Others sinners and tax collectors. Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors. Why? Sinners need salvation. You cannot reach sinners if you do not talk to sinners. Once again, this does not mean that Jesus engaged in the sin of these individuals; it does not mean that He endorsed their behaviors, despite what some may try to read into the text. When The Pharisees and the Scribes saw this happening and accused Jesus to His disciples, asking, “how is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?” Jesus heard it and said something profoundly true: The righteous do not need a doctor, it is sick. Jesus noted that the sinners and tax collectors were sick. Can we note that sinners are sick? Yes! Can we do it and still love them? Yes! Jesus explained, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” He would also say, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
The Gospel is For All!
We must not revile sinners so much that we forget each has an eternal soul and Christ died for them. Salvation is open to all. Yes, the Gospel is for all. I am glad that it is for all, otherwise, I would be just another lost sinner if it was only for the people that have had it all together all their lives. Christ is for sinners, but He is for them to change into saints. I hope that the saints will look at the fields; they are white. Let’s go and reap without compromising the message of hope that is in the Lord.
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
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