Jude 17-25
Do
you live in a bubble? Are you out of touch with the real world? Normally, we
speak like this when we refer to a corporate office, or maybe those who are in an
ivory tower; not ourselves. Recently though, I had a wakeup call.
About
once a year, I have the opportunity to play in a golf outing through work that
is sponsored by a vendor. It’s great to get out of the office for the day and to
get paid to do it. In addition, the day we played was absolutely beautiful. The
down side is my game, if you can call it that. I’m terrible.
Fortunately,
I was put on a foursome with two brothers that apparently spend most of their
work week on the course rather than behind a desk. However, as good as they
were at golf, it was uncomfortable to play with them at times.
Throughout
the day, one of them liberally sprinkled his comments with curse words and the
other drank himself silly. Together, they made crude comments about women. They
were a couple of “real sinners”. It was an eye opening experience.
During
the DVD presentation this week, Tim mentioned that he is intentional about connecting
with non-Christians. As an example, he works out at a gym instead of at home.
He also pointed out that the longer we are a Christian, the more likely it is
that most of our friends, and as a result who we socialize with, are
Christians. So what happens to the guys at the gym or out on the golf course?
Jesus
was judged for spending time with sinners. He had dinner with tax collectors,
healed those who were unclean, hung out with prostitutes and common fishermen.
I wonder if Peter cursed or if Matthew told dirty jokes? I wonder if it was
uncomfortable for Jesus to hang out with them at times? I wonder if they were
as crude and as lost as the brothers that I golfed with?
Jude,
the brother of Jesus, wrote, “20-21 But
you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by
praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping
your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus
Christ. This is the unending life, the real
life! 22-23 Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go
after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on
sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.”
Tim
Harlow suggested that maybe we need to replace some of our “religious”
activities with secular activities. Based on this, I’m thinking that maybe
Jesus is calling me to play golf on a regular basis, but I don’t think my wife
will buy it.
What
could you do to be intentional to connect with sinners? It may be uncomfortable,
and you might even be judged for it. But if not you, then who?https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Jude.1.17-Jude.1.25
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