Today, during Day #11 of Counting the Omer, we are reminded that after Judas' death there were only 11 disciples. The Number 11 in scripture indicates something out of order. There are 12 tribes of Israel, 12 disciples. The #11 shows us that a critical element is missing and must be corrected.
Most people falsely believe that Jesus made this statement:
"I am a friend of sinners."
However, this is NOT true!
The phrase itself came about when the Pharisees hurled insults at Jesus. They also called Him a DRUNKARD (do you think Jesus was a drunkard?)...they also called him a GLUTTON (do you think Jesus was a glutton?) and then they called Him a "friend of tax collectors and sinners." Yet everyone typically believes this third insult to be true! Why?!
If we keep the phrase in the proper context, it was a lie, just like the other statements were a lie. Jesus, of course, is NOT a drunkard, He is NOT a glutton...and I humbly propose to you He is NOT a "friend of sinners."
Let's check it out scripturally. Paul called the Bereans "more noble" than others because they searched the scriptures to see if it was so. Here's the scripture:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
~ Psalm 1:1
I do not sit with deceitful men, Nor will I go with pretenders.
~ Psalm 26:4
I hate the assembly of evildoers, And I will not sit with the wicked.
~ Psalm 26:5
We can be assured that Jesus was well taught and obedient to all of these Old Testament scripture admonitions.
Well...(one might say)...that was the OLD TESTAMENT! Jesus came to show us a DIFFERENT way. No, that is still incorrect. Here's what the New Testament says:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
~ 2 Corinthians 6:14
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.
~ 1 Corinthians 5:9
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
~ Ephesians 5:11
Thus, scripture does NOT teach us that Jesus is a "friend of sinners." He came to CALL SINNERS TO REPENTANCE!
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
~Luke 5:32
When modern day Mega-preachers tell us that you are supposed to "hang out" with sinners, that is false teaching. It results in chaos and disorder. We are to call sinners to repentance, just as our Rabbi-Teacher Jesus did. If, after we give them the gospel message, they don't want anything to do with repentance, here's the scripture for that:
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.
~ Mark 6:11
When we continually align ourselves with evil-doers, we don't advance the cause of Christ. We simply get the world's muck on us. Soon we become indistinguishable from the world...unsalty salt only good for trampling underfoot.
Even worse, when we "befriend" the world, we actually become ENEMIES OF GOD!
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?
Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
~ James 4:4
So, instead of attempting to make "friends," let's...
GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS.
The Great Commission:
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
~ Mark 16:15-16
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You will not be mocked. For whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. If a man sows a life of sin, he will reap an abundant harvest of judgment. If a man sows a life of righteousness, he will reap a reward from his Master as a faithful servant. Help us to overcome the false teachings of apostate churches today which are not friends of God but instead friends of the world. In making this alliance, You tell us that they are, indeed, Your ENEMIES. Scripture tells us that those who serve Mammon, will HATE Christ! (Matthew 6:24). Teach us that we can only have one Master and the only Master who pays eternal dividends is You. You will not tolerate the divided heart of an adulterous bride. Remind us that You must be our only God and we must have no golden calf idols. Whatever we do, let us do it for the Glory of God and to further advance Your Kingdom, not to line our own pockets. When we interact with people in the world, which your Word tells us that we must while on this planet, remind us that our purpose is to call people to REPENTANCE. If they do not heed this Word, then we are to stamp the dust from our feet and MOVE ON. Remind us that if there is no fruit, there is NO REPENTANCE. Help us to teach properly that true repentance is evidenced when actions line up with the confession of faith just as the Chief tax-collector Zacchaeus returned four-fold what he had stolen. Only THEN did You say: "Today salvation has come to this house" (Luke 19:9). As we fulfill the Great Commission, which was Your final instruction to Your disciples, let us keep the message as simple as You originally taught us: REPENT, BELIEVE, CONFESS and WALK, so that we can be an effective, faithful witness and testimony to your saving Power.
~Amen
