Jesus is hanging with them to reveal their sin, bring them to repentance, and to follow God’s word. He told people the truth and preached truth and didn’t care what they thought about him and it was an offence to many of them when he preached. We are to love our enemies, but we certainly shouldn’t hang with those sinning against us or God in an unrepentant way. Loving enemies and hanging with enemies are 2 different things. When Jesus says Love your enemy does NOT mean hang with your enemy. It means feel compassion on your enemy, and pray that they come to Christ. When Jesus associated with sinners, it was for a reason. He was doing it for a purpose, and he had a mission. It wasn’t for entertainment or fun or to participate in their sinful activities. He was there to do God’s will and preach. He preached to everyone he came into contact with. If those rejected His teaching and did not repent of sin, would Jesus still hang out with them? I don’t think so .In fact, Jesus gives very serious warnings to those individuals.
Some even say that “Jesus hung out with adulteress” and they even quote Jesus said , "Neither do I condemn you “but they forget the verse that follows where Jesus says, "Now go, and SIN NO MORE." In other words, "CLEAN UP YOUR ACT QUIT BEING AN ADULTERESS!
1. When sinner fails to repent: God has clearly warned us of being unequally yoked with unrepentant sinners. Again, we are all sinners, but there is a big difference between sinning and repenting, and sinning without repenting. So Jesus tells them the two parables .In the first, a shepherd who had 100 sheep loses one. Now, that one sheep was so important to him that he left behind the other 99 in the open country to go and find it. And when he found it, he was so happy that he invited all his friends and neighbors to celebrate with him.
The other parable is about a woman who had 10 silver coins. These coins were dracmas, Greek coins worth about a day’s wages. When this woman lost one of her coins, she looked throughout the house, just like we do when we lose our keys or wallets. And when she found the coin, she was so happy that she invited all her friends and neighbors over to the house to celebrate.
And Jesus tells us the point of these two illustrations. “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent... There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Psalm 7:11 declares that "God is angry with the wicked every day." John 3:36 warns that the "wrath of God abideth" upon Christ-rejecters. Ezekiel 33:11, "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel." In fact, Jesus joyfully receives sinners. He throws a party in heaven every time one sinner repents and comes to believe in him. He did not come into this world to save the righteous, but the sinners. And that’s good; because that means that he will accept even us. Jesus was able to relate to His generation because He was not afraid that contact with them would tarnish His holiness. Rather, He knew that His holiness would cleanse their filth. He was relevant because He walked where they walked. He spent time with drunkards, but never got drunk. He ate with corrupt tax officials, but He was not corrupt. He empathized with prostitutes, but never compromised His moral standards. When Christ actually "hung" with sinners, but only that He was around them, loved them, showed compassion on them and their situations, and healed them.
Jesus ate with sinners and talked to them for a reason. He was building God’s Kingdom and getting them to follow Him. He was fulfilling the scriptures. If they didn’t follow Him, he stayed away (just like he did with the Pharisees). Jesus would have never tolerated a sinful remark. He would have rebuked them. There is a difference between witnessing and being a light to unbelievers and "hanging out" with them. The Bible says that we are the light of the world and that we should let our light shine however, the Bible also warns us in Jeremiah 10:2Learn not to learn the ways of unbelievers. The more we hang out with someone, the more like them we will become. Jesus could sit with sinners and unbelievers and not be affected by the sinful atmosphere because he was sinless, however you and I have this sinful flesh that is easily influenced to sin.( Jesus said that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. ) Befriending unbelievers with the objective to preach the gospel with your deeds and with your words is a great mission field, however we should be very careful not to spent to much time with them that we begin to learn their ways.
“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.” ( Mark 6:11).
2. Careful in Choosing a unrepentant Friend: But we should limit spending time (or being close friends) with those who are simply not willing to follow God’s word. Jesus Himself even lost a few “friends” and “followers” because of His true and honest teachings by rebuking and correcting the sinners’: “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.’ . . .
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, ‘Does this offend you?’ . . . From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” (John 6:53-56, 60-61, 66,)
Our friends will hang out with us if we do the things like them, if we have the same taste like them. But if we are different and if we don’t do the things of the world we are separated and chosen to live Godly lives by disapproving of them cheating on their spouse, having promiscuous sex, lying, cheating, stealing, watching porn, listening to inappropriate music, and so forth. The Godly life style and ungodly life style are always opposite and true Godly friends continue to remain in Christ, and those who branch off and reject God’s will and be subjected to Gods wrath. What Jesus had to say:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15:18-20)
God wants us to have fellowship and love with all creation. But it does mean that our friendships will be limited if we adhere to following God’s word when our other friends choose to reject God’s word. Jesus doesn’t consider them as brother, sister, or close friend. For those who don’t follow God’s will. “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ (Matthew 7:23)
3. The scriptures give us ample warnings: Whenever a man associates with sinners in such a way as to (a) participate with them in that which is sinful or (b) condone their sinful activity, he has been guilty of sin! Jesus never was guilty of doing either of these. Jesus associated with sinners for the express purpose of saving their souls. He compared his association with sinners to that of a physician associating with the sick saying, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mark 2:17). Again he said, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Jesus ate with sinners. When he was invited into their homes as a guest, he went for the express purpose of trying to save their souls.
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.Hebrews 7:26.
I Corinthians 5:9-13: "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so–called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler — not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?" you will have contact with unbelievers. You will talk to them, you will work with them, you will go to school with them...but we are called to be set apart.
In 2Corinthians 6:14-17, Paul writes again, "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. Paul gives us three instructions in how to react when associating with an unbeliever. He tells us: not be deceived, to be sober-minded and to Stop sinning. . Jesus didn't associate with "known sinners" like tax collectors because He minimized their sin ( Luke 19:1-10 ). He freely associated with them because He knew that they were more open to repentance.
4. A true believer should not have fellowship with the works of evil spirit:
A True Christian believer must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness
but must reprove them (Eph. 5:11). Sinning willfully or deliberately shows a very corrupt condition of heart (Heb. 10:26—31). Continuing in sin or sinning until death has no chance of forgiveness (I John 5:16). Therefore, any member's sin which is open and seen by others, which he refuses to repent of even after seeing the truth about it, is worthy of disfellowship (II Thess. 3:6, 14). Certain such open and deliberate sins are listed in 1 Cor. 5:11 as requiring withdrawal of fellowship: (1) fornicator (Rom. 7:3; I Cor. 7:2), (2) a covetous man (A Greedy Man), (3) an idolater, (4) a railer (a slanderer, a man with a foul tongue), (5) a drunkard,(6) an extortioner (a swindler, a cheat, one with the heart of a thief). Titus 3:10 also lists "a heretic" to be rejected. When erring Christians refuse to repent, God commands His people to disfellowship them so as to bring them to repentance. An adulterer in the church in Corinth was to be delivered to Satan in hopes that he would repent and be saved before it was too late (I Cor. 5:5). Because ungodly members who continue in their sin may think that they have fellowship with God, faithful Christians are to break fellowship with them to remind them that neither God nor God's people can fellowship sin. Christians are commanded in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (by His authority) to withdraw themselves from every brother that walks disorderly and not according to the teachings of the apostles (II Thess. 3:6). Christ's commandments must be obeyed. Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for not puttingaway an adulterous member (I Cor. 5:1, 2). Instead of mourning, they were "puffed up," refusing to disfellowship him. Jas. 5:19, 20 says that anyone converting an erring brother has converted a sinner from the error of his way, has saved a soul from death (Hell), and has hidden a multitude of sins. A member who again becomes entangled in the world is in a worse condition than before. He is like a washed pig which returns to wallowing in the mud, or like a dog returning to eat his vomit (II Pet. 2:20—22). We are commanded to exhort one another daily lest any be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13). The longer sin goes uncorrected, the more difficult it is to correct it. If a member has had time to be taught of his sin and yet continually refuses to repent, disfellowship must be begun. Titus 3:10 says a factious man is to be rejected "after the first and second admonition." To wait longer is to bring more reproach from non-members and to tempt or be a stumbling block for weaker members.
5. "Judge not, that ye be not judged”: This the Favourite verse of the people who wish to justify their disobedience to God. We are NEVER to use OUR own standards to judge another. We are however, not only allowed but COMMANDED to use God's standard (His Holy Word) to judge right and wrong. Righteous judgment is using God's word to rule what is good or evil.
Let's look at God's command-
"For what have I to do to judge them also that are without (the church)? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth.Therefore put away from among yourselves that WICKED PERSON" I Corinthians 5:12-13
Why does it say that those without the church body will be judged by God while we are to judge (according to God's word) those within? Simple, those who are not saved are already under the judgment and condemnation of God...."He that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is condemnation that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:19
Those within the body are to be kept in line by one another because we are indeed our brother's keeper. It is our responsibility out of love, to make a fellow believer aware when he or she is violating God's word. If he or she is truly saved, though the correction may sting, he or she will appreciate what was done. "...for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Why beholdest thou the mote (speck of dust) that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye...thou hypocrite FIRST cast out the beam out of thine own eye; AND THEN SHALT THOU SEE CLEARLY TO CAST OUT THE MOTE OF THY BROTHER'S EYE." Matthew 7:2-3 & 5.
This passage is not a blanket prohibition against judgment!! It is an exhortation to get right (repent of sin and place trust in Jesus for salvation) with God, and when you do, He will let you see clearly to help your brother/sister get their life right with God.
The judgment is to be God's word, not your own opinion or view and it is to be done in a spirit of loving correction, not spiteful condemnation. Hell is the reward of rebellion toward God. If you are an unbeliever who uses Matthew 7:1 to justify your perverted behavior, be warned, the only one fooled is you and you are already under the judgment and condemnation of God (John 3:19) If you use Matthew 7:1 to do as you please, you'd better read that passage again because you are greatly mistaken. If you choose to walk in disobedience, God will deal with you accordingly...
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Galatians 6:7
Some other Scriptures to meditate on:
John 8:14-17 :Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true.
John 5:30:I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
2Corinthians 2:10-16:But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
(This article is composed from various sources on the internet and I am very thankful and give credit to all those Sources)
For more detail please visit my other similar articles
Are You a Godly Example to Others?
Righteous Person Gets Angry, Gets Persecuted, Can Rebuke and Can Judge!
Should We Judge Others?
The Wicked Justifies Their Wrong Doing!
Do God Punish Us for Own Sins?
I Confess but I Can Not Repent!
Sin Fascinates, Then Assassinates
Get Right with God!
Jesus is Not a Friend of Sinners but He is Compassionate with Them!
All Past, Present, and Future Sins Are Forgiven?
Every Sin Has Its Own Consequences and Demands Heavy Price!
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Shaila Touchton's Despite of Differences, Come Unity in Jesus Christ!
Showing posts with label Jesus friend of sinners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus friend of sinners. Show all posts
Once saved is always saved is wrong!
Once saved is always saved states that once a person is truly saved through repentance and faith in Jesus (Romans 10:9), his or her salvation can never be lost no matter how badly or how often that person sins after salvation. Many times in Scripture we are told to continue, or to persevere in our faith.
True salvation is one has to develop faith in Christ, repent of their sins, baptized for the remission of their sins, received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Live the commandments of God. Salvation is a continuous process” but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Philippians 2:12-13:Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
The Bible does not guarantee salvation to those living wickedly; the only assurance of salvation is by good works (Ps 15:1-5; Matt 7:21-23; John 8:31-32; II Cor 5:17; Phil 2:12-16; Titus 3:8; Jas 1:26-27; I John 2:4; 3:10).
1.Sin separates us from God:
Isaiah 59:2 But your sinful acts have alienated you from your God; your sins have caused him to reject you and not listen to your prayers.
Galatians 5:19-21 :The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil
Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Isaiah 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Amos 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Ezekiel 21:24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
2.One can fall away from faith.
Hebrews 6:4-6 "For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame."
Hebrews 10:26-27 "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries."
Hebrews 10:38-39 "But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul."
Luke 8:13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
Colossians 1:21-23 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation -- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Romans 11:22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
John 15:5-6 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
1 Corinthians 15:2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
Revelation 3:5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. This verse shows You can fall from grace, your name can be erased. Even though it was there, written in the Lamb's Book of Life, it can be taken out.
Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
John 15:2, 6: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit... If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
True salvation is one has to develop faith in Christ, repent of their sins, baptized for the remission of their sins, received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Live the commandments of God. Salvation is a continuous process” but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Philippians 2:12-13:Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
The Bible does not guarantee salvation to those living wickedly; the only assurance of salvation is by good works (Ps 15:1-5; Matt 7:21-23; John 8:31-32; II Cor 5:17; Phil 2:12-16; Titus 3:8; Jas 1:26-27; I John 2:4; 3:10).
1.Sin separates us from God:
Isaiah 59:2 But your sinful acts have alienated you from your God; your sins have caused him to reject you and not listen to your prayers.
Galatians 5:19-21 :The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil
Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Isaiah 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Amos 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Ezekiel 21:24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
2.One can fall away from faith.
Hebrews 6:4-6 "For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame."
Hebrews 10:26-27 "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries."
Hebrews 10:38-39 "But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul."
Luke 8:13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
Colossians 1:21-23 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation -- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Romans 11:22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
John 15:5-6 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
1 Corinthians 15:2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
Revelation 3:5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. This verse shows You can fall from grace, your name can be erased. Even though it was there, written in the Lamb's Book of Life, it can be taken out.
Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
John 15:2, 6: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit... If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Saying sinner’s prayer will save you?
God wants to save everyone. He loves us so much that He gave his Son to die for our sins. Our sins are forgiven when we are baptized into Christ, and God promises us the gift of eternal Life. Nowhere in the New Testament is anyone told to pray to receive salvation and become a Christian. God is gracious and merciful, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9). Repentance was preached by Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:17), by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-10), by Christ’s Disciples (Mark 6:12), by Peter (Acts 2:38), by Paul (Acts 17:30), the gospel, calls for “repentance toward God…” (Acts 20:21).
Those who truly repent change their mind about their relationship with God and this results in a change in the way they live. Judas regretted his actions, but he did not turn to God(Matt. 27:3-4)There are lots of preachers who made repentance a simple .
The truth is that the Bible teaches that baptism is when our sins are washed away and we are forgiven unto salvation not through sinner’s prayer. There is no way an unsaved sinner can ask and receive salvation through prayer, because an unsaved sinner is not "in Christ" he is out of Christ the Bible clearly teaches that the only way to get "in Christ" is to be "baptized into Christ. (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21 )
Someone may have prayed this prayer during an emotional experience and then go on living their life as they were before. This person has a false assurance of salvation.
Saul of Tarsus prayed for three days after arriving in the city of Damascus, yet his sins were not “washed away” until he was immersed in water in obedience to the divine command (Acts 9:11; 22:16). Jesus nor any of the apostles ever taught or wrote that we must pray a sinners prayer to be saved. God only hears those who worship Him and do His will. Example when the multitudes cried out at Pentecost, “What shall we do?” Peter did not respond, “Pray the sinner’s prayer,” but “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37-38). A Christian is one who belongs to Christ and obeys His commands (1 John 5:3). When a person does exactly what the Bible teaches in order to be saved and lives a faithful life on earth, eternal life in heaven awaits them (Revelation 2:10).
We see in many Bible verses that God rejected sinner’s prayer. Below are the examples.
Jeremiah 21:14 But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Jeremiah 14:12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
Proverbs 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.
Hosea 12:2 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Proverbs 15:8-9 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Those who truly repent change their mind about their relationship with God and this results in a change in the way they live. Judas regretted his actions, but he did not turn to God(Matt. 27:3-4)There are lots of preachers who made repentance a simple .
The truth is that the Bible teaches that baptism is when our sins are washed away and we are forgiven unto salvation not through sinner’s prayer. There is no way an unsaved sinner can ask and receive salvation through prayer, because an unsaved sinner is not "in Christ" he is out of Christ the Bible clearly teaches that the only way to get "in Christ" is to be "baptized into Christ. (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21 )
Someone may have prayed this prayer during an emotional experience and then go on living their life as they were before. This person has a false assurance of salvation.
Saul of Tarsus prayed for three days after arriving in the city of Damascus, yet his sins were not “washed away” until he was immersed in water in obedience to the divine command (Acts 9:11; 22:16). Jesus nor any of the apostles ever taught or wrote that we must pray a sinners prayer to be saved. God only hears those who worship Him and do His will. Example when the multitudes cried out at Pentecost, “What shall we do?” Peter did not respond, “Pray the sinner’s prayer,” but “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37-38). A Christian is one who belongs to Christ and obeys His commands (1 John 5:3). When a person does exactly what the Bible teaches in order to be saved and lives a faithful life on earth, eternal life in heaven awaits them (Revelation 2:10).
We see in many Bible verses that God rejected sinner’s prayer. Below are the examples.
Jeremiah 21:14 But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Jeremiah 14:12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
Proverbs 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.
Hosea 12:2 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Proverbs 15:8-9 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Jesus is not a friend of sinners but He is compassionate with them!
Jesus was no sinner, nor a friend of sinners. He was kind and compassionate on sinners, and never committed sin in His dealings with sinners for He "did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22; Isaiah 53:9). His communication with sinners was pure and never encouraged them in sin.
Example when we see a stranger who is in trouble we try to help them , that doesnt mean that we were friends with him , it means we were compassionate to help him.
We also know that Jesus hates wickedness in Hebrews 1:9:You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” His heart is grieved over those who sin and Jesus hates the sin within each one of us. Jesus hated sin so much that He went to the cross to do away with sin. Jesus doesn't want to leave us living in our sins but He came to die for our sins and to empower us through the Spirit to overcome sin.
Compassion does not equal tolerance or friendship especially where sin is concerned. As for being found in the company of sinners, Jesus also gave His reason for that: Sick people need a physician. He ate with sinners, not to approve their lifestyle, but to call them to repentance (Lk. 5:29-32).
We mustn't make excuses for our sins nor should we hide our sins (Psalm 32:5) but we should confess our sins to the Father (1 John 1:9) and remain in faith in Jesus who alone can wash our sins away.
I tell you that in the same way, 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)
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32)
Friends are those you are in harmony with, have partnership with, have agreement with, have things in common with. Everything which 2 Cor 6:14-18 states. Only after the sinner repents of sin in response to the mercy of God can such characteristics of friendship as these be possible. Truth is primarily learned by contrasts and James 4:4 contrasting friends and enemies of God is clear. Lastly, the only two men attested as friends of God in the Bible were Moses and Abraham.
The Scripture bears out many facts that GOD does NOT walk around with a perpetual smile on all people, here are a few of those verses:
Psalms 5:5:…Thou dost HATE ALL who do iniquity.
Rom 2:5-6:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to every man according to his deeds
Matt 13:41-42:41 “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus came as the great Physician. We still need to bring ourselves humbly, repentantly before Him, as well as bringing those we know to Him. Jesus said “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
In (Luke 19:1-10) Many of us remember the story of the diminutive Zaccheus, who had to climb a tree in order to see Christ: Zaccheus is a tax-gatherer. Zaccheus is considered by all in his city to be a sinner. remarkable change had begun to take place in the heart of Zaccheus?
And he hurried and came down, and received Him gladly … And Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much."
Zaccheus was repentant! Christ was honoring the repentance of Zaccheus with His presence as a houseguest in Zaccheus’ home.
However, the unrepentant citizens of Jericho were unwilling to recognize the evidence of Zaccheus’ repentant change. They regarded him as a “sinner,” focusing only upon the apparent sins of his past.
Let’s first look at a time when Jesus describes the friendship ..
John 15:14-15: You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Here we see Jesus saying, “those of you who love and live in sin, you’re my friend. Disobedience toward Christ is not friendship with Him. He shares His life with His obedient friends. There are lots of people who justify their sins point out that, “Jesus ate with tax–gatherers and sinners.” Their reasoning is simple, “because Jesus did these things then we can too.” It is true that the Scriptures teach that Jesus ate with tax–gatherers and sinners (Mt. 9:11; 11:19; Mk. 2:16; Lk. 5:30; 7:34; 15:2). Yet, he did so in order to preach the gospel to them, to call them to repentance and not to participate in their evil deeds of darkness. When the Pharisees asked why Jesus ate with godless sinners, Jesus said in Lk. 5:31-32 “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Jesus hated sin and he hated worldliness. He put up with the sinfulness of men in order to call sinners to repentance.We can even cultivate relationships with the godless for the purpose of calling sinners to repentance and evangelizing them, but never to enjoy their sin or sinful life style. Paul said this to the Ephesians in Eph. 5:3-8, II Cor. 6:14-17, I Cor. 15:33-34, II Tim. 2:16-18.
These people, not knowing God, being children of Satan, do not respect the morals of God, and hence they use words of vanity, they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, by promising them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. Then Peter explains that the very ones who promise freedom and “Christian liberty” are already overcome by sin and enslaved to it.
John 15:14: “You are My friends, if you do what I command you.
Here we see that sinners do not do what Jesus Christ commands , they by nature practice sin and are disobedient.
1 John 3:4: Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
There are many people who twist the words of God and make Jesus to be a “friend of sinners” and claim innocence before Christ.
Let us see Luke 7:33-35:33 “For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking; and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!’ 35 “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
It is clear that there are four accusations hurled out our Saviour and His servant, John the Baptist, in this passage…
John the Baptist “has a Demon”
Jesus was a “Gluttonous Man”
Jesus was a “Drunkard”
Jesus was a “Friend of tax-gatherers and sinners”
How any man can reason that the accusations are true. To take just one out of the four accusations AGAINST Christ and claim that it is true, is twisting scripture, taking it out of context, but men with smooth words deceive multitudes by doing this very thing.
You see, if we say Jesus was a “friend of sinners” then we conclude that the accusations are true, and then He also is a drunkard and a gluttonous man, as well as John the baptist had a demon (God forbid). Certainly none of those things are true, so we can conclude that Jesus was NOT a friend of sinners, as well as He was NOT a drunkard, or a gluttonous man, nor did John have a demon.
Look at another verse Hebrews 7:26 that He was mentioned as “seperated from sinners.
Heb 7:26: For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;
Let us look at Luke 15:1-2: Now all the tax-gatherers and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
here in this verse we see again that the words are an accusation of a pharsee.
God does recognize repentance. “But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live.
“Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord GOD, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die.
“Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right?
"When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die.
"Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
"But the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct," declares the Lord GOD. "Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live." (Ezekiel 18:20-32)
In all the parables where Jesus was a friend of sinners demonstrates that” Again, it is Jesus Christ emphasizing God’s great, merciful, and loving regard for the repentance of those who sin.
Let’s go on to examine some occasions where it is recorded that Christ did eat with unrepentant men – although it is evident that they were men who imagined themselves to be righteous!
We are not to socialize at all with people who, having become part of God’s Church, are practicing sin. Jesus was compassionate for sinners because Christ came into the world to save sinners. He didn't come to make sinners feel good about themselves.
Some people attempt to justify their wrongdoing by saying, for example, that Jesus refused to condemn the woman caught in adultery and that He spent much of His time eating and drinking with sinners.
Jesus' words to the adulterous woman, "Neither do I condemn you" (Jn. 8:11), are filled with forgiveness, not tolerance. She knew her own sin, and He knew that she did, whereas the would-be stone-throwers weren't reflecting upon theirs. So Jesus had to deal with them first. But after He forgave the woman, notice that Jesus did not say, "Go, follow your feelings, celebrate diversity, and try not to hurt anyone." He said, "Go, and sin no more." To the paralytic, He added a further warning: "Sin no more, lest something worse befall you" (Jn. 5:14). That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.2 Corinthians 5:19
God hates everyone who doesn’t put Him first." God is not angry merely against the sin abstracted from the sinner, but against the sinner himself.Eg when you say God hates the theft, but loves the thief. He abhors adultery, but is pleased with the adulterer. This will not make any sense. The sin has no moral character apart from the sinner. we also know that God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." (Psa 7:11)
Proverbs 30:12 there is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
God hates sinners so much that “for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
Whosoever is born of God will not commit sin. And saints are made free from sin to become the servants of righteousness. The word of God, prayers keeps away from sins and also we need to keep as far away as possible from sinful places and sinful people who corrupt good morals.
1 John 3:9 whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
When God says he hate sinners it does not mean that he will tolerate the sinners or the sinners go unpunished. Love for sinners is not reason to keep quiet about sin. The Bible says that Sin should always be confessed ,mourned over,hated,departed from, Avoided even in appearance from all forms,shoulded be guarded, to be prayed to keep away and delivered from sins, to ask God to cleanse our sins with the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Christ not only pardons repentant sinners, but He restores in them the image of God.
God loves the sinner when the sinner is purged from his sinful nature. God will receive any repent sinner that comes through Jesus Christ. A true love for sinner is by speaking the truth in love, correcting him, rebuking his sin and not allowing a person to live in sin or continuing his sinful lifestyle. The godly sorrow we feel should cause us to change our minds about the way we have acted and lived in the past. Our sorrow should make us decide to quit doing what is wrong and start doing what is right. This is repentance.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:6-8 for when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jeremiah 23:22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
The wicked people encourage themselves in sin and also Delight in those who commit sins. They also have numerous unbiblical excuses to commit sin and to defend their sinful ways. When you question them they mock and boast about their sins also they try to tempt others and they either blame God others for their sinful natures. They have become spiritual Blinded which is caused due to the effect of sin, a work of the devil and Leads to all evil. When God’s people do not obey Him, He allows a spirit of blindness to come over them.
Psalms 64:5 they encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.
Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
Psalms 10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Proverbs 10:16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
We also know that True Love for God is to hate evil.
People who know God's will and who love righteousness will hate sin and evil.
Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 97:10
Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:15
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
We need remove our self with people who constantly sin who encourages us to sin and who refuse to repent and whose lifestyle reflect their rebellious ways. We need to be very careful to whom we make friends.
The righteous should CHOOSE HIS FRIENDS CAREFULLY, for the way of the wicked leads them astray." (Proverbs 12:26)
The Bible says that evil company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).
God has called us to walk godly and keep away from sin. A Godly friend will lead you to God, Church, Godliness, Holiness and truth.
we can not be everyone’s friend. God's word says - evil friends, ungodly friends will corrupt you.
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace" (Isaiah 59:7,8).
"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).
Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble" (Proverbs 4:11-19).
You cannot be friends with the world and God. If we have friendship with worldly friends they will encourage us to live in world ways and encourages us to sin and will keep us from hearing Gods Word. Gods word and Godly ways are nonsense to them ultimately we will loose Gods kingdom and our end will end in hell.
James 4: Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
We can identify wrong friends in our life by their fruits. The bad friends are are filled with anger and bitterness whose who lifestyle, goals, teachings, morals conflict with Gods word, who offers wrong advises with wrong motives, who gossips, who is their only in Good times and runs when you fall.
Every sin has its own consequences and demands heavy price. The final result of sin is death and destruction. "The wages of sin. is death" (Rom. 6:23).some of the examples are:
1)Ham & Noah (Genesis 9:20-27) involved in looking at naked body Hence Ham's son Canaan and his descendants are cursed (future Canaanites)
2)Angels taking human wives (Genesis 6:1-12, Jude 6-7, 2 Peter 2:4) which was Indulged in gross sexual immorality with "strange flesh" and as as result Earth was corrupt and full of violence God determined to destroy humanity by a flood .
3)Sodom & Gomorrah (Jude 6-7, Genesis 18:16-33, Genesis 19:1-29, Ezekiel 16:48-50)was involved in Homosexuality ,Pride ,Gluttony which resulted in Both cities and the surrounding territory were destroyed by God.
4)Lot & his daughters involved in Incest (Genesis 19:30-38) because his Daughters did not have faith that God would provide for them which resulted The descendants (Ammonites and Moabites) became hated enemies of God's people.
Gods word say that”I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you" (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? … When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5)
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:17
Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. Leviticus 19:17
Example when we see a stranger who is in trouble we try to help them , that doesnt mean that we were friends with him , it means we were compassionate to help him.
We also know that Jesus hates wickedness in Hebrews 1:9:You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” His heart is grieved over those who sin and Jesus hates the sin within each one of us. Jesus hated sin so much that He went to the cross to do away with sin. Jesus doesn't want to leave us living in our sins but He came to die for our sins and to empower us through the Spirit to overcome sin.
Compassion does not equal tolerance or friendship especially where sin is concerned. As for being found in the company of sinners, Jesus also gave His reason for that: Sick people need a physician. He ate with sinners, not to approve their lifestyle, but to call them to repentance (Lk. 5:29-32).
We mustn't make excuses for our sins nor should we hide our sins (Psalm 32:5) but we should confess our sins to the Father (1 John 1:9) and remain in faith in Jesus who alone can wash our sins away.
I tell you that in the same way, 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)
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32)
Friends are those you are in harmony with, have partnership with, have agreement with, have things in common with. Everything which 2 Cor 6:14-18 states. Only after the sinner repents of sin in response to the mercy of God can such characteristics of friendship as these be possible. Truth is primarily learned by contrasts and James 4:4 contrasting friends and enemies of God is clear. Lastly, the only two men attested as friends of God in the Bible were Moses and Abraham.
The Scripture bears out many facts that GOD does NOT walk around with a perpetual smile on all people, here are a few of those verses:
Psalms 5:5:…Thou dost HATE ALL who do iniquity.
Rom 2:5-6:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to every man according to his deeds
Matt 13:41-42:41 “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus came as the great Physician. We still need to bring ourselves humbly, repentantly before Him, as well as bringing those we know to Him. Jesus said “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
In (Luke 19:1-10) Many of us remember the story of the diminutive Zaccheus, who had to climb a tree in order to see Christ: Zaccheus is a tax-gatherer. Zaccheus is considered by all in his city to be a sinner. remarkable change had begun to take place in the heart of Zaccheus?
And he hurried and came down, and received Him gladly … And Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much."
Zaccheus was repentant! Christ was honoring the repentance of Zaccheus with His presence as a houseguest in Zaccheus’ home.
However, the unrepentant citizens of Jericho were unwilling to recognize the evidence of Zaccheus’ repentant change. They regarded him as a “sinner,” focusing only upon the apparent sins of his past.
Let’s first look at a time when Jesus describes the friendship ..
John 15:14-15: You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Here we see Jesus saying, “those of you who love and live in sin, you’re my friend. Disobedience toward Christ is not friendship with Him. He shares His life with His obedient friends. There are lots of people who justify their sins point out that, “Jesus ate with tax–gatherers and sinners.” Their reasoning is simple, “because Jesus did these things then we can too.” It is true that the Scriptures teach that Jesus ate with tax–gatherers and sinners (Mt. 9:11; 11:19; Mk. 2:16; Lk. 5:30; 7:34; 15:2). Yet, he did so in order to preach the gospel to them, to call them to repentance and not to participate in their evil deeds of darkness. When the Pharisees asked why Jesus ate with godless sinners, Jesus said in Lk. 5:31-32 “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Jesus hated sin and he hated worldliness. He put up with the sinfulness of men in order to call sinners to repentance.We can even cultivate relationships with the godless for the purpose of calling sinners to repentance and evangelizing them, but never to enjoy their sin or sinful life style. Paul said this to the Ephesians in Eph. 5:3-8, II Cor. 6:14-17, I Cor. 15:33-34, II Tim. 2:16-18.
These people, not knowing God, being children of Satan, do not respect the morals of God, and hence they use words of vanity, they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, by promising them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. Then Peter explains that the very ones who promise freedom and “Christian liberty” are already overcome by sin and enslaved to it.
John 15:14: “You are My friends, if you do what I command you.
Here we see that sinners do not do what Jesus Christ commands , they by nature practice sin and are disobedient.
1 John 3:4: Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
There are many people who twist the words of God and make Jesus to be a “friend of sinners” and claim innocence before Christ.
Let us see Luke 7:33-35:33 “For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking; and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!’ 35 “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
It is clear that there are four accusations hurled out our Saviour and His servant, John the Baptist, in this passage…
John the Baptist “has a Demon”
Jesus was a “Gluttonous Man”
Jesus was a “Drunkard”
Jesus was a “Friend of tax-gatherers and sinners”
How any man can reason that the accusations are true. To take just one out of the four accusations AGAINST Christ and claim that it is true, is twisting scripture, taking it out of context, but men with smooth words deceive multitudes by doing this very thing.
You see, if we say Jesus was a “friend of sinners” then we conclude that the accusations are true, and then He also is a drunkard and a gluttonous man, as well as John the baptist had a demon (God forbid). Certainly none of those things are true, so we can conclude that Jesus was NOT a friend of sinners, as well as He was NOT a drunkard, or a gluttonous man, nor did John have a demon.
Look at another verse Hebrews 7:26 that He was mentioned as “seperated from sinners.
Heb 7:26: For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;
Let us look at Luke 15:1-2: Now all the tax-gatherers and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
here in this verse we see again that the words are an accusation of a pharsee.
God does recognize repentance. “But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live.
“Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord GOD, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die.
“Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right?
"When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die.
"Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
"But the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct," declares the Lord GOD. "Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live." (Ezekiel 18:20-32)
In all the parables where Jesus was a friend of sinners demonstrates that” Again, it is Jesus Christ emphasizing God’s great, merciful, and loving regard for the repentance of those who sin.
Let’s go on to examine some occasions where it is recorded that Christ did eat with unrepentant men – although it is evident that they were men who imagined themselves to be righteous!
We are not to socialize at all with people who, having become part of God’s Church, are practicing sin. Jesus was compassionate for sinners because Christ came into the world to save sinners. He didn't come to make sinners feel good about themselves.
Some people attempt to justify their wrongdoing by saying, for example, that Jesus refused to condemn the woman caught in adultery and that He spent much of His time eating and drinking with sinners.
Jesus' words to the adulterous woman, "Neither do I condemn you" (Jn. 8:11), are filled with forgiveness, not tolerance. She knew her own sin, and He knew that she did, whereas the would-be stone-throwers weren't reflecting upon theirs. So Jesus had to deal with them first. But after He forgave the woman, notice that Jesus did not say, "Go, follow your feelings, celebrate diversity, and try not to hurt anyone." He said, "Go, and sin no more." To the paralytic, He added a further warning: "Sin no more, lest something worse befall you" (Jn. 5:14). That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.2 Corinthians 5:19
God hates everyone who doesn’t put Him first." God is not angry merely against the sin abstracted from the sinner, but against the sinner himself.Eg when you say God hates the theft, but loves the thief. He abhors adultery, but is pleased with the adulterer. This will not make any sense. The sin has no moral character apart from the sinner. we also know that God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." (Psa 7:11)
Proverbs 30:12 there is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
God hates sinners so much that “for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
Whosoever is born of God will not commit sin. And saints are made free from sin to become the servants of righteousness. The word of God, prayers keeps away from sins and also we need to keep as far away as possible from sinful places and sinful people who corrupt good morals.
1 John 3:9 whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
When God says he hate sinners it does not mean that he will tolerate the sinners or the sinners go unpunished. Love for sinners is not reason to keep quiet about sin. The Bible says that Sin should always be confessed ,mourned over,hated,departed from, Avoided even in appearance from all forms,shoulded be guarded, to be prayed to keep away and delivered from sins, to ask God to cleanse our sins with the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Christ not only pardons repentant sinners, but He restores in them the image of God.
God loves the sinner when the sinner is purged from his sinful nature. God will receive any repent sinner that comes through Jesus Christ. A true love for sinner is by speaking the truth in love, correcting him, rebuking his sin and not allowing a person to live in sin or continuing his sinful lifestyle. The godly sorrow we feel should cause us to change our minds about the way we have acted and lived in the past. Our sorrow should make us decide to quit doing what is wrong and start doing what is right. This is repentance.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:6-8 for when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jeremiah 23:22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
The wicked people encourage themselves in sin and also Delight in those who commit sins. They also have numerous unbiblical excuses to commit sin and to defend their sinful ways. When you question them they mock and boast about their sins also they try to tempt others and they either blame God others for their sinful natures. They have become spiritual Blinded which is caused due to the effect of sin, a work of the devil and Leads to all evil. When God’s people do not obey Him, He allows a spirit of blindness to come over them.
Psalms 64:5 they encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.
Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
Psalms 10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Proverbs 10:16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
We also know that True Love for God is to hate evil.
People who know God's will and who love righteousness will hate sin and evil.
Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 97:10
Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:15
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
We need remove our self with people who constantly sin who encourages us to sin and who refuse to repent and whose lifestyle reflect their rebellious ways. We need to be very careful to whom we make friends.
The righteous should CHOOSE HIS FRIENDS CAREFULLY, for the way of the wicked leads them astray." (Proverbs 12:26)
The Bible says that evil company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).
God has called us to walk godly and keep away from sin. A Godly friend will lead you to God, Church, Godliness, Holiness and truth.
we can not be everyone’s friend. God's word says - evil friends, ungodly friends will corrupt you.
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace" (Isaiah 59:7,8).
"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).
Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble" (Proverbs 4:11-19).
You cannot be friends with the world and God. If we have friendship with worldly friends they will encourage us to live in world ways and encourages us to sin and will keep us from hearing Gods Word. Gods word and Godly ways are nonsense to them ultimately we will loose Gods kingdom and our end will end in hell.
James 4: Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
We can identify wrong friends in our life by their fruits. The bad friends are are filled with anger and bitterness whose who lifestyle, goals, teachings, morals conflict with Gods word, who offers wrong advises with wrong motives, who gossips, who is their only in Good times and runs when you fall.
Every sin has its own consequences and demands heavy price. The final result of sin is death and destruction. "The wages of sin. is death" (Rom. 6:23).some of the examples are:
1)Ham & Noah (Genesis 9:20-27) involved in looking at naked body Hence Ham's son Canaan and his descendants are cursed (future Canaanites)
2)Angels taking human wives (Genesis 6:1-12, Jude 6-7, 2 Peter 2:4) which was Indulged in gross sexual immorality with "strange flesh" and as as result Earth was corrupt and full of violence God determined to destroy humanity by a flood .
3)Sodom & Gomorrah (Jude 6-7, Genesis 18:16-33, Genesis 19:1-29, Ezekiel 16:48-50)was involved in Homosexuality ,Pride ,Gluttony which resulted in Both cities and the surrounding territory were destroyed by God.
4)Lot & his daughters involved in Incest (Genesis 19:30-38) because his Daughters did not have faith that God would provide for them which resulted The descendants (Ammonites and Moabites) became hated enemies of God's people.
Gods word say that”I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you" (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? … When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5)
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:17
Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. Leviticus 19:17
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