I have started to read the New Testament a few days ago. Every time I read it, I’m in awe. A lot of things stood about what I’ve read so far, but I wanted to write a little about Jesus saying, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Matthew 8:12) Jesus was talking to the Pharisees (teachers of the law) when he made this statement. I know there is often discussions about whether or not this or that person should be allowed in church; homosexuals, adulteress, teen mothers, and etc. I hope that we all could agree that we are sinners. Why then do these conversations often take place. I do not agree with a lifestyle of homosexuality, adultery and/or various other sinful acts. While I do not see how one could be this way or that way, I’m not judge or jury nor do I believe I should be allowed to stop anyone from trying to find, praise or serve God. If someone came to me and told me not to come to church because they heard me listening to sinful music or because I got mad at someone yet didn’t forgive them, I would not feel welcome and may not be taught about mercy. When Jesus was having dinner with tax collectors and sinners, the Pharisees wondered why Jesus would do such a thing. Jesus replied and said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Jesus also told the Pharisees this, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 8:12 and 13. So instead of people suggesting that certain people shouldn’t come to church, they should be welcomed with open arms. So since, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few,” maybe it’s time for us to invite those to church who have a lifestyle that we don’t agree with. Your thoughts?
Isaiah 29:13
The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.
James 4
11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
1 John 2:1-2
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not
sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for
ours only, but also for those of the whole world." NASB
Isaiah 61:7
7 Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.
Romans 8:1
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
NASB
Matthew 7:2:6
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others.[a] The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.[b]
3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[c] when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,[d] ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
Matthew 22:36-40 NIV
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
