Posted on 11/25/2015 7:41:02 AM PST by Gamecock
Martin Luther, as a herald of the Reformation, exclaimed that the church must be profane. It must move out of the temple and into the world. Luther looked to the Latin roots of the word profane, which comes from pro-fanus ("outside the temple"). If Christ is not relevant outside the church, He is insignificant inside the church. If our faith is bound to the inner chambers of the Christian community, it is at best a disobedient faith and at worst, no faith at all.
It was the Pharisees who developed the doctrine of salvation by separation. They were practicing segregationists, believing that holiness was achieved by avoiding contact with unclean sinners. No wonder they were scandalized by the behavior of Jesus, who dealt with Samaritans, ate dinner with tax collectors, placed His hand upon lepers, and ministered to harlots. Our Lord was accused of being a drunkard and a glutton, not because He was overweight or given to intemperance, but because He frequented places where these things were commonplace.**
If guilt by association were a legitimate offense, Jesus would have lost His sinlessness early in His ministry. But He came to seek and to save the lost. He found them gathered in His Father's world.
Coram Deo
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He commanded us to do likewise. What are you doing in response to that command?
Passages for Further Study
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
James 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Wellll, not exactly:
It is written: The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds." Matthew 11:19
Jesus did more than just hang out. He ate and drank with them. He says so himself. He didn't abuse. He didn't get drunk. But he did partake.
Ping!
A story of a Pastor who went into a bar to help a drunk who had gotten into a fight, as he left he stumbled at the doorway and was seen doing so. The rumor didn’t take long that the Pastor was seen leaving the bar drunk and staggering.
Things aren’t always what they appear to be....
Yes...
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost ,
They took the last train for the coast ...
Welcome back! Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Thanks GC. After being here awhile, I have come to the conclusion, that many people here, are like the Bereans. They are hungry for the truth, in a way I rarely saw in the states, and virtually NEVER saw when I was in Europe. It’s actually kind of refreshing.
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