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Jesus was a friend of sinners, He conversed with prostitutes and ate dinner with tax collectors (cheats and traitors). He identified the needs of the down-and-outers and responded to those needs, characterizing acts of righteousness differently than most Pharisees did. (See Matthew 6:1-18)

In their zeal to be purified from sin and set an example of righteousness, the Pharisees went overboard; rightly identifying sin but shunning individuals who needed an example of righteousness that connected with them rather than ostracized them. If avoidance is the focal point of our witness and ministry – we have none. However, we can’t submerge ourselves in the sinful lives of others and not be affected by it. We must guard, to the extent possible, what we see and hear – what we participate in – as that invariably influences our outlook on life and how it is to be lived. Paul, who lived amongst all kinds of people warned, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

On numerous occasions, he reprimanded those who defied the counsel of the fledgling church and – as a last resort – recommended separation from those who insisted on living a contrary lifestyle. (See 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, which was based on Jesus’ standard of church discipline recorded in Matthew 18:15-17.) The ultimate goal remained restoration and redemption ( 2 Corinthians 2:5-11), the reason for separation being the real danger of our following the example of the “sinner” and conforming to his sin. (See Galatians 6:1,2)

The Pharisees had lost touch with the human component of their religion, hating the sin but loving the sinner; opting instead for complete and irrevocable separation from sin and sinner alike. Some of us sinners are merely confused, others are deceived, still more are depraved. We all need to be convinced – convicted – of our sin and led to the only being who can redeem and redirect our lives. That won’t happen if we secret away what we know of him and elevate our own status through our exclusive association with him.

Jesus saw and responded to sinners. ( Luke 15:1) Not merely because he liked the company of drunks, whores and cheats; although they may have been more real in their conversations and open about their troubles. He cares about every individual ensnared by sin. He was undoubtedly more interested in people who were honest in recognizing their short-comings than those spending all their time camouflaging them. His purpose was to, “…seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 Not wasting valuable time on those who denied their “illness” but freeing those who sought relief from theirs. ( Matthew 9:12,13)

Jesus was, however, an equal-opportunity Savior, dining at Zacchaeus’ house, a traitorous, cheating chief tax collector ( Luke 19:1-10) even as he accepted the invitation to dine with Pharisees as well. ( Luke 11:37-40) Not everyone responded appropriately, but some did. The spectacular early growth of the church first occurring among the Jews ( Acts 2:41 & 47), including “..a large number of priests (who) became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7 Jesus loves everyone, mourns the loss of anyone and has done everything necessary for all people everywhere to be saved. ( 2 Peter 3:9) But that doesn’t mean all are. We must first acknowledge and confess our sin ( 1 John 1:8,9), and commit our lives to Jesus as God’s Son – our Lord and Savior. ( 1 John 4:15 & Acts 2:38)

Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law, becoming our sacrifice for sin and thus saving us from the penalty of sin. ( John 1:29; 1 Peter 2:24,25) Many today claim him as their Savior but stop short of proclaiming him as their Lord. Any genuine understanding of that title leading us to obey his word, seek out his will, and honor him above all else. ( Luke 2:11; Acts 10:36)

A common theme of Jesus’ teachings was centered on people’s attitude toward others; highlighted in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Luke pointedly recorded that this parable was told to those, “…who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else.” In it, a Pharisee and a tax collector went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee thanked God for not making him like everybody else and cited a number of his accomplishments. The tax collector, on the other hand, stood to the side with downcast eyes. Striking his chest, he pled for God’s grace; in so doing acknowledging his sin and casting himself on God’s mercy – his hope for redemption. Who do you think God recognized and blessed? Jesus ending with, “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9:14

Pride is at the heart of many other sins, therefore God unequivocally says, “I hate pride…,” and the “arrogance” that goes with it. ( Proverbs 8:13) Pride being the instigator of disgraceful behavior ( Proverbs 11:12) and disgrace for the one practicing it – in the here-and-now and/or the hereafter. ( Proverbs 11:2) As “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 A key to a Christian’s attitude to others being, “Each one should test his own actions…”, comparing them to God’s standard; “Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.” Galatians 6:4

Jesus summed it up thusly, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business… I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you… and appointed you to go and bear fruit…” John15:12-16

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

"Lord God, You Have a Funny Way of Working at Times"