Jesus, Friend of Sinners

[JGIG]

A good reminder for us all.

We are to live well, but above that, we are to love well, as Jesus does.


[video=youtube;st3CaUMH8zI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st3CaUMH8zI[/video]

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours
You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost 'cause and I was the outcast

Yeah

You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet



​

 

[notuptome]

A friend of sinners but not of sin.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[JGIG]

Come on, guys . . . please don't miss the point . . .

 

[BenFTW]

Come on, guys . . . please don't miss the point . . .

Its somewhat of an evangelistic song, our witness to the world. It actually reminds me of street preachers who condemn people for their sin, set up a standard of righteousness before them that they don't keep, and act as if people could walk righteously on their own accord. They condemn those listening and then a back and forth ensues of the preacher hurling insults about the crowds sinfulness.

Instead of preaching the Gospel, they emphasize sin. They put the focus on morality, instead of Christ. They say repent of your sins, instead of believe on the Lord Jesus (who will set you free from your sins). Instead of revealing God's goodness, they speak of His wrath (and not Jesus being the propitiation, the appeasement, for us towards God).

When watching street preaching it is actually a sad experience. One should rejoice the Gospel is preached, if only the Gospel were preached. What we have are sinless perfectionists going on a tirade against humanity and their lack of willingness (and not ability) to walk holy as He is holy.

There is nothing wrong with pointing out the wickedness of sin, and how evil and wrong sin is. Pointing out that we all have fallen short of God's glory. Yet also we should reveal to the people God's perfect standard of righteousness and it is something we cannot keep, which is why we need Jesus. It is this latter truth that is silenced to the condemning of an audience. They preach works and not grace. Repentance, but not onto God but a message of mixture by which their repentance is a striving in self-righteousness ("go and sin no more").

Listen to street preachers, with their signs (cardboard, not supernatural haha), and see a message of condemnation so heavy handed that reconciliation is all but hindered. God is drawing them, and the preacher is hardening them. We need to be an extension of Christ to the world, and know that He came not to condemn it, but save it. A message of reconciliation. Yes they have sin, are sinners, and need Christ. You can help them to see it by showing God's standard (that they may disagree with) but as you reveal their necessity for Christ, their inability to save their self, the Holy Spirit can work in their heart. You don't need to be ugly, call them "sinner", and show no sign of respect and decency. Love them. Share the Gospel.

 

[Ariel82]

I love that song.

 

[JGIG]

Its somewhat of an evangelistic song, our witness to the world. It actually reminds me of street preachers who condemn people for their sin, set up a standard of righteousness before them that they don't keep, and act as if people could walk righteously on their own accord. They condemn those listening and then a back and forth ensues of the preacher hurling insults about the crowds sinfulness.

Instead of preaching the Gospel, they emphasize sin. They put the focus on morality, instead of Christ. They say repent of your sins, instead of believe on the Lord Jesus (who will set you free from your sins). Instead of revealing God's goodness, they speak of His wrath (and not Jesus being the propitiation, the appeasement, for us towards God).

When watching street preaching it is actually a sad experience. One should rejoice the Gospel is preached, if only the Gospel were preached. What we have are sinless perfectionists going on a tirade against humanity and their lack of willingness (and not ability) to walk holy as He is holy.

There is nothing wrong with pointing out the wickedness of sin, and how evil and wrong sin is. Pointing out that we all have fallen short of God's glory. Yet also we should reveal to the people God's perfect standard of righteousness and it is something we cannot keep, which is why we need Jesus. It is this latter truth that is silenced to the condemning of an audience. They preach works and not grace. Repentance, but not onto God but a message of mixture by which their repentance is a striving in self-righteousness ("go and sin no more").

Listen to street preachers, with their signs (cardboard, not supernatural haha), and see a message of condemnation so heavy handed that reconciliation is all but hindered. God is drawing them, and the preacher is hardening them. We need to be an extension of Christ to the world, and know that He came not to condemn it, but save it. A message of reconciliation. Yes they have sin, are sinners, and need Christ. You can help them to see it by showing God's standard (that they may disagree with) but as you reveal their necessity for Christ, their inability to save their self, the Holy Spirit can work in their heart. You don't need to be ugly, call them "sinner", and show no sign of respect and decency. Love them. Share the Gospel.

Great post.

The Gospel is about making spiritually dead people spiritually alive, not about making bad people good.

I think about all the newborn Christians who are taught this 'ism' or that 'ism' the many streams of faith today that are more focused on making them into 'good', 'sin-free' Christians rather than building them up in who they are in Christ and letting HIM do His work in them. So many walking wounded young believers out there who need love instead of behavior modification theologies. I think the song touches on that, too.

Theologies can be so neat and tidy, delivered in efficient packages while grace and mercy often are messy and inconvenient, not to mention more time consuming.

-JGIG

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

The Gospel is about making spiritually dead people spiritually alive, not about making bad people good.

This is what's known as a false dilemma fallacy. The gospel is not this either-or description.

 

[Joidevivre]

"The Gospel is about making spiritually dead people spiritually alive, not about making bad people good."

This is what's known as a false dilemma fallacy. The gospel is not this either-or description.

Explain please. Because to me the message of the cross and the infilling of the Holy Spirit within us DOES make the spiritually dead become spiritually alive. And it does not change a person's nature from bad to good. It only reveals how Christ gives us His goodness (righteousness), and as we abide in Him, His goodness is seen in our actions and choices. It is only the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

"The Gospel is about making spiritually dead people spiritually alive, not about making bad people good."

Explain please. Because to me the message of the cross and the infilling of the Holy Spirit within us DOES make the spiritually dead become spiritually alive. And it does not change a person's nature from bad to good. It only reveals how Christ gives us His goodness (righteousness), and as we abide in Him, His goodness is seen in our actions and choices. It is only the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The spiritually alive are those who do righteousness (after being made spiritually alive, of course). The false dilemma that false grace doctrines frame is that being spiritually alive and the necessity for doing righteousness (being good) are mutually exclusive. That is a heresy that began almost 2000 years ago with the gnostic Christians who held that a person's spiritual nature ensured their salvation and only ignorant Christians believed that had to conduct themselves righteously.

 

[UnderGrace]

The sad truth .....

Listen to street preachers, with their signs (cardboard, not supernatural haha), and see a message of condemnation so heavy handed that reconciliation is all but hindered. God is drawing them, and the preacher is hardening them.

Its somewhat of an evangelistic song, our witness to the world. It actually reminds me of street preachers who condemn people for their sin, set up a standard of righteousness before them that they don't keep, and act as if people could walk righteously on their own accord. They condemn those listening and then a back and forth ensues of the preacher hurling insults about the crowds sinfulness.

Instead of preaching the Gospel, they emphasize sin. They put the focus on morality, instead of Christ. They say repent of your sins, instead of believe on the Lord Jesus (who will set you free from your sins). Instead of revealing God's goodness, they speak of His wrath (and not Jesus being the propitiation, the appeasement, for us towards God).

When watching street preaching it is actually a sad experience. One should rejoice the Gospel is preached, if only the Gospel were preached. What we have are sinless perfectionists going on a tirade against humanity and their lack of willingness (and not ability) to walk holy as He is holy.

There is nothing wrong with pointing out the wickedness of sin, and how evil and wrong sin is. Pointing out that we all have fallen short of God's glory. Yet also we should reveal to the people God's perfect standard of righteousness and it is something we cannot keep, which is why we need Jesus. It is this latter truth that is silenced to the condemning of an audience. They preach works and not grace. Repentance, but not onto God but a message of mixture by which their repentance is a striving in self-righteousness ("go and sin no more").

Listen to street preachers, with their signs (cardboard, not supernatural haha), and see a message of condemnation so heavy handed that reconciliation is all but hindered. God is drawing them, and the preacher is hardening them. We need to be an extension of Christ to the world, and know that He came not to condemn it, but save it. A message of reconciliation. Yes they have sin, are sinners, and need Christ. You can help them to see it by showing God's standard (that they may disagree with) but as you reveal their necessity for Christ, their inability to save their self, the Holy Spirit can work in their heart. You don't need to be ugly, call them "sinner", and show no sign of respect and decency. Love them. Share the Gospel.

 

[Zmouth]

Would Jesus being the 'Father of all sinners' also be a false dilemma fallacy?

Not sure how it could be a false dilemma except for sinners since whoever sins is of the devil so it is definitely a dilemma since it is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.

Of course one can always play the fallacy card and say it a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument.

 

[joaniemarie]

When a lost person comes to Christ after hearing the Good news of the Gospel that says; John 3:16


[SUP]

6 [/SUP]For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([SUP][a][/SUP]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
[SUP]

17 [/SUP]For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
[SUP]


18 [/SUP]He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation—he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]



Must COME AS YOU ARE. Please all you who are weary and tired heavy with sin and need rest for your souls..... DON'T

TRY TO SHOWER FIRST BEFORE YOU COME TO JESUS!! Only Jesus can make a dirty person into a CLEAN person., a sinner a

SAINT. A lost person into a FOUND person. Jesus calls COME AS YOU ARE.

It is Jesus who WILL SAVE you... Jesus WILL CHANGE you.... Jesus WILL MAKE YOU A NEW CREATION....BORN AGAIN MADE NEW IN CHRIST

This is not done by you... It's done by HIM. And ONLY JESUS CAN DO IT. AMEN!!

What He's done for others... He will do for YOU.

 

[joaniemarie]

This is what's known as a false dilemma fallacy. The gospel is not this either-or description.

Yes it is... Either you are saved by the blood of Jesus or you are without the blood of Jesus. "He who has the Son HAS LIFE ... he who has not the Son of God has NOT life but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36


Back in Moses day he instructed those Hebrew children to put the blood on the door posts of their homes. All they had to do was put the blood on the door.... That's it. Because it was a picture of the coming Savior who would shed His blood for their sins.


WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD I WILL PASS OVER YOU


Did they have to fast and pray first? Did they have to make sure they didn't sin that day? Did they have to do anything but put the blood on the door posts?

There is no "dilemma falacy" Either you have Jesus or you don't. Either you are born again or not.

 

[PennEd]

The spiritually alive are those who do righteousness (after being made spiritually alive, of course). The false dilemma that false grace doctrines frame is that being spiritually alive and the necessity for doing righteousness (being good) are mutually exclusive. That is a heresy that began almost 2000 years ago with the gnostic Christians who held that a person's spiritual nature ensured their salvation and only ignorant Christians believed that had to conduct themselves righteously.

There is a disconnect between what we DO and what we ARE.

We ARE children of God if we are born again. The born again ARE the good tree bearing good fruit. It's intrinsic to us.
We are being sanctified to be all the things Jesus describes in the beatitudes.

So it's vital that we understand that they are BE-atitudes, NOT DO-atitudes.

We will do them because of WHO we are, we do not do them to PROVE or make us who we are.