STEPPING OUT
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September 1999
Have you ever found yourself wanting to hang around just certain types of people in the Body of Christ and even in the community in which you live? In centuries past, people have hung around in their so-called circles of friends or groups that they felt comfortable with.
In the times of Jesus the Pharisees and Sadducees hung with their own. Poor with poor, Samaritans with Samaritans. Jesus didn't. He talked to who He wanted to talked to, and loved who He wanted to love. Those who were willing to open their hearts and listen and even to those who heard but did not perceive the Word of God. Let's look at Matthew 9:10-13, for it says the following: "And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
What was our Saviour saying here? He was tell them (1) God has already determined without mercy, sacrifices mean nothing. God doesn't care about the external "pious" rituals that they kept and that people desire to keep today. (2) Jesus desired to heal people of their sins and for them to repent to change their life and live in love, faith, and righteousness. Those who were already living in love, faith, and righteousness of God were well already. It was the sick he came to heal.
God desires special people. Let's look at 1 Peter 2:9-10: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." How did this happen? People hear the inner calling of God, but they also need to hear the outward call of Christ, the Gospel of Christ, the Good News, the Awesome Word of God. The only way this happens is if we step out of those circles of people we hang with and share in love the Word of God that others might become His special people, the people of God! That they might step out of the darkness and into the marvelous light of Jesus Christ. Christ Jesus, the Good Shepherd, went out into the wilderness to find the lost sheep. He sat with the tax collectors and the sinners.
In Matthew 28:18-20 we find: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Jesus gave the commission to go forth and spread the Gospel, baptizing and teaching all things that Jesus commanded them. That others may be called people of God and called into the light of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can't do it if we just hang with the same people and choose not to do any sharing of our love, faith, and strength in Jesus Christ. Let us also sit with the tax collectors and the sinners of the world in the love and power of Christ. As Jude said in his epistle in verse 24, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." I am convinced when we go forth to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He will give us the strength, words of wisdom, and abundant love to show others what it's all about. So GO FORTH into the wilderness and find those who are seeking and share, love, mentor, and equip them.
AMEN!!!
