09/27/2023
Reposting this from the Funniest Church Funnies. what makes it funny in my estimation is the peculiarity (not ha ha funny) of it. What I am about to say is not meant to be judgmental but a reality check to ALL of us. In post modern Christianity which in many ways is the dumbing down of the church, a great deal of people stop at 'Yes, Jesus hung out with prostitutes and drunkards and outcasts.'
And then there's the rest of the story: Rather than taking the truth of the rest of the statement, the first two lines become a permission base to continue in the old ways.
The problem is that Jesus did not JUST hang out with them, He loved them in such an irresistible fashion that they felt and saw their need to change. That change brought the abundant life He has panned for all those that love and serve Him. He also did not turn them into slaves per se, which is what so many think when they see the phrase 'serve the Lord'.
Our mission is not to hang out with prostitutes and drunkards and outcasts, but to go tot he highways and byways and by our lifestyle show them how to "Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100:2-5).
I don't remember Him beating me into submission. What I remember is that He took me by the hand and step by step, patiently and lovingly showed me grace and mercy and forgiveness. How could I refuse His ways after he straightened out the mess I had made of my life. I truly am a different person than what He found by the side of the road. I am not better than anybody else, but I am better than myself because He hung out with me.
