And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man [JESUS] receives sinners, and eats with
them. So JESUS told them this story: Which of you having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, doth not leave the 99 in
the wilderness, and go after that which was lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays
it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with Me for
I have found my sheep which was lost!
I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over 99 just
persons, which need no repentance.
AND
...what woman having 10 pieces of silver, if she loses one piece, does not turn on the lights, and sweep
the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together
saying, "Rejoice with me for I have found the silver piece I had lost!".
Likewise, I say to you there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
AND
...HE said, A certain man had 2 sons. And the younger of them said to his Father, "Give me the portion of
goods that is mine...(The story of the Prodigal Son)
--Luke 15:2-32
Obviously JESUS placed a high priority upon winning the lost. He told story after story (above) to illustrate
that.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Sometimes I hear Saint and Sinner alike say something
this: JESUS hung out with sinners. Not so. (True) Christians could be likened to Firemen: they go in to a burning house to
get out those lost and dying. They are not confused about this. They know what their purpose is...they have no intention of
moving into a burning house.
ON the other hand, I cannot rememember - literally - the last time I heard a Christian tell the story of
how they lead someone to Christ and then incorporated us all into REJOICING with him or her over this. Today's Christians
seem to be more concerned about "ME" (themselves) and are too busy fighting political battles (or something else) that
benefit themselves rather than witnessing to "snatch others out of the fire" (Jude 1:23). Some balance (and helpful fellow
workers!) might be nice.
However, if you're not going to witness, then why don't you try to be a little less judgmental and a little
more supportive of those of us who actually do. That would make God happy. And don't give me the cowards way out, that you
"witness" by "your life"...most people are not nearly as nice as they think they are, and - trust me - the heathens/pagans
are not just bowled over by you. Plus, they have to actually have the information of who JESUS is and what the Gospel is because
The History Channel is certainly telling them who THEY believe He is - "Another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 11:4).
When you have taken the abuse and had to make the kinds of sacrifices I have had to make for The Lord, then
- perhaps - you will have earned the right to tell me what to do. Until then, lead, follow or get out of the way. (Sorry
to have to be so blunt, but that's just the way it is in this case.)
