Where we see sinners, Christ sees people in need

When we see really sick people, we are usually filled with compassion and pity. We show or at least feign care:), even when we suspect that the disease might be as a result of a reckless lifestyle or very silly mistakes. We gather together in love to pray for their healing. We visit them at home and at the hospital with gifts in their weaknesses, just the way they are. We know that they are far from being in perfect health but we don't condemn them for being sick.

Above all, if we know a doctor who is an expert in their disease and is willing to treat them for free and take care of them so they never get sick again, we quickly hook them up! We never tell them "Heal yourself, or else this doctor will not help you!" Instead, we tell them that the doctor is the best in his field and has a 100% success rate. We never tell them that they might die from their disease if they don't do their best to stop being sick. We tell them that they are going to be alright because the doctor is the best! It all depends on the doctor.

But when we see thieves, drug addicts, drunkards, porn addicts, smokers, prostitutes, gluttons or even women with weaves and wedding dresses that have plunging necklines, we tend to show or at least feign disgust, even when we suspect that their actions might be as a result of lack or circumstances that we were never exposed to. We prevent them from coming to our gatherings just the way they are. We tell them that judgment will fall on them if they don't stop being sick while secretly nursing our own hidden imperfections.

We do know a Great Physician that can deliver them from their sins and addictions and take care of them forever but we never hook them up without throwing in some terms and conditions! We tell them "Heal yourself, or else the Great Physician will not heal you; He might even let the devil have a go at you!" We tell them "Before you can even be considered for the blessings of the Great Physician, you have to stop all the bad things you are doing."

Believers, in the eyes of our Heavenly Father, both groups above have something in common - they both need saving. With Christ, it's not a question of how or why we need saving or what we need saving from (sin, addiction, lack, sickness, lies, whatever.) It's all about our need, us realising that we are helpless to save ourselves and us seeing Him as our Saviour. We all needed saving so our Saviour Jesus Christ came and took our place on the cross. He was wounded for our transgressions. He who was sinless was made to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ. He came to save us from our sins. How can a Saviour who came to save us from our sins use those very sins as an excuse for not saving or blessing us?

We often look at these "great sinners," - fornicators, thieves, murderers, rude teens that hit their parents, smokers, drunks, etc and think that they love or worse, can control what they do. But many are trying so hard to stop being sick (sinning) but can't, much like how Peter could not but deny Jesus. They need a Redeemer to set them free. But because they are led to believe that the Redeemer and Great Physician who died to set them free demands that they heal and save themselves (stop sinning) before He looks their way, they start avoiding He whose heart is filled with compassion for them and wants to deliver them from all of their sins!

Believers, let's point our brothers and sisters to Christ, the Great Physician. Let's tell them that they will overcome their sins and addictions when they put their trust in Him and not their efforts at stopping sin, just like the sick that rely on the expert doctor. Only He can completely deliver from sin and sickness.

Believers, God did not send His Son to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 2:17)

Remember Mark 2:16-17 "And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”"

Our Saviour is the same, yesterday, today and forever, refreshed when we take from Him as He was with the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob!

Believers, the goodness of God leads to repentance. Jesus never asked anyone to fill forms or present evidence of right living before He blessed them. In fact, the people who received from Him when He walked thd earth were not born-again as He was yet to die for our sins, how much more we who are in Christ! Our Heavenly Father gives us ALL things FREELY with Christ (Romans 8:32).

Believers, God justifies the ungodly. This is Grace - God's undeserved, unmerited favour. He will never justify those who think they have it all together by their law keeping and good works: the law can never make anyone righteous in the sight of God (Romans 3:20).

He loves us so much and wants us to come to Him just the way we are. He will clean you up and cause you to live right. Why clean yourself with your own righteousnesses (filthy rags) when He offers you His righteousness as a gift?

His gift of no condemnation makes us go and sin no more.

Believe Right and you will Live Right.