I will tell you something. Go and learn what it means: 'I don't want animal sacrifices; I want you to show kindness to people.' I did not come to invite good people. I came to invite sinners." - Matthew 9:13 (ERV)
THOUGHT:
God has never wanted to condemn. That has never been his purpose. His Old Testament Laws were meant to distinguish the Israelites as his people and preserve them from spiritual and physical harm.
When people rebel, rather than looking forward to punishing them for their sin, God grieves over the rebellious child. He yearns to bring restoration. When Jesus comes as Immanuel, he teaches and shows that God seriously cares about reaching and redeeming rebellious sinners.
Incredibly, both Jesus and John the Baptist have more success with those who are in outright rebellion than with those who have been inoculated by their legalistic religious debates. Jesus came to the lost, the broken and the least, to save, mend, and make first.
PRAYER:
Loving and merciful Heavenly Father, give me a heart of concern for those who around me are lost. I am convicted today of your gracious love and sacrificial concern for those who are caught in sin. Please use me as an instrument to give them hope and bring them to you. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures:
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."- Matt. 1:20-21
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.- 1 Tim. 1:15-16
Why? Because I want faithful love, not sacrifice, {I want people} to know God, not {to bring} burnt offerings. - Hosea 6:6
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