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•A Prayer to Sit with Sinners•By Anthony Valente👉 “And the Scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” (Mark 2:16-17)“I’m not shopping there anymore.”“I’m not eating at that restaurant.”“I won’t be seen supporting anything that supports (insert whatever sin is being glorified in our world at the time).”We are so quick to cancel–especially on social media. And I understand most Christ-followers do not intend for their strong opinions or social posts to hurt anyone intentionally. Because I personally know many who have shared these articles, and I know that in real life, they would never, ever exclude anyone from enjoying a meal at their table based on their skin color or gender identity. If they ran into someone in public who thought and lived differently than them, they would treat them with the same kindness they give a fellow congregant at church. They would welcome them in love. But on the internet, people don’t see that. All they have to go on is what we’ve shared. And if we were to put ourselves in their shoes for just a moment, our re-share or flippant response could be perceived as a personal slight. Our comments and statuses are often towards business ideals, not targeted at specific people, but our written response doesn’t give that distinction. Instead of withholding our support in an effort to uphold biblical principles and liberties, our posts are perceived as personal attacks, shame fests, or an all-out war on individuals.And I wish more of us Jesus followers understood that we can’t expect lost people to understand biblical truths or display biblical fruit. They’re lost. The Bible calls them blind, saying they are veiled from the truth (2 Corinthians 3:14).I love Jesus’ strong rebuke to the Pharisees. Because it also applies to us. Somehow some of us have mistaken Christianity as a call to hunker down and protect the flock from the outside world. Much like the Pharisees began to believe, we fall for the lie. It’s us against them. But that’s not what Jesus said. Instead, He reminded the Pharisees and us, He didn’t come to rescue the righteous (those already in Christ). He came to save those sick and in need of a savior (Mark 2:17). His plan for reaching those in need of a savior was by putting His Spirit inside His people. We are salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). But how can those in need of the Great Physician see the light if we withhold our presence from the places where they are or refuse to have meals at the restaurants where we may encounter them? We don’t have to support worldly ideals. And if the Holy Spirit prompts you through His Word and confirms through His people that you need to refrain from doing business at a certain place, by all means, obey God. But I wonder if we even consult God before we enact our attempts to make a stand for biblical principles. Friend, this can be so dangerous because we never know who our words behind the screen may be confusing and further pushing away from coming to know Christ. Let’s not confuse sitting with sinners as somehow renouncing our salvation or our belief in God’s Word. Sitting with a sinner doesn’t make us unsaved. After all, our way to salvation, Jesus Christ, consistently sat and dined with sinners, tax collectors, and the like. Maybe we should too? Let’s pray.🙏 Lord,Thank You for Your Word; that is our solid foundation when we get carried away by the opposing narratives in the world. Jesus, protect us from the enemy, who seeks to divide us, turn us against each other, and stop sharing the Gospel with those who desperately need it! Lord, forgive us when we carelessly speak or post things that do not portray Your great love for lost people. Give us wisdom, Lord. Help us know how and when to make a stand. And when to have conversations in love over a meal. Lord, we need Your wisdom. Thank You for giving it generously without finding fault. Thank You for Your Spirit that reminds us of Your word and helps us know what to say. May we heed the Spirit in all our interactions. And may we be salt and light in a dark world that needs Your love. In Jesus’ name,AMEN 🙏 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 6:23)For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”(Luke 19:10)“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.(Luke 5:31-32)“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.(Matthew 5:13-16)Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.(John 15:13)But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.(1 Corinthians 5:11)Go and learn what this [Scripture] means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION [for those in distress], AND NOT [animal] SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].”(Matthew 9:13)When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.(1 Corinthians 9:22-23)Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”(1 Corinthians 15:33)So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels.(Matthew 23:3-5)Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.(Luke 15:7)Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company.(Proverbs 24:1)So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.(John 7:16-18)God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.(John 3:16)Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.(Revelation 3:20)And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.(Ezekiel 36:26)(pic verse)Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” ---------(John 8:1-11)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld