I Better Pass My Neighbor
Don’t Be A I-better-pass-my-neighbor Pharisee Believer
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear Him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
… Luke 15:1
“You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read.”
– John MacArthur
Wednesday, August 09, 2023
Briefly make a mental note of people around you, do you have any casual friend, colleague, or neighbor that is not a believer like you? Do you chat or meet with them regularly?
If your answer is No, then be careful lest you have become a better-pass-my-neighbor
The life Jesus Christ lived on earth showed us time and again that he welcomed unbelievers, had dinner in their houses, and chatted cheerfully and heartily with them so much so that the religiosity of Pharisees was shaken and they became bitterly angry.
“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. (Ezekiel 18:23). God does not seek the death of the sinner… He wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)
Jesus influenced the culture in His days by interacting and engaging with unbelievers wherever they were using stories and illustrations they can relate to.
He expects us to do the same, take the message to our prospects in their homes, neighborhood, marketplace, social media space, and all.
The I-better-pass-my-neigbor, religious Pharisees on the other hand played the judge. They were totally isolated from ‘sinners’ to avoid contamination of their sanctification. They didn’t even as much as greet these ‘wicked unbels’. (Read Luke 15)
They were too busy with their religious duties, family responsibilities, business growth, and egalitarian studies there was little time left to meet with others, especially unbelievers.
Beloved, I hope you are not becoming too busy and religiously arrogant like the Pharisees in this generation. Never allow yourself to become puffed with knowledge and wealth that you forget the primary assignment; saved to serve.
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for every one (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
Intentionally and deliberately reach out to unbelievers, show them love and compassion with the hope that this will bring them to the light of Christ.
Don’t abandon the work of advancing the gospel to church leaders, missionaries, pastors, etc. alone. Every born-again child of God is called to share the good news with others. I believe you are one if you are reading this.
Heaven is big enough for the whole human race to live happily ever after.
Be like Jesus Christ, don’t isolate, don’t react, rather be proactive, interact, engage, and influence.
LET US PRAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me and setting me free from sin and satan. I repent of every form of arrogance, pride, religiosity, and better-pass-my-neighbor attitude towards the unsaved all around me.
I ask that you rekindle in me a fresh fire of evangelism and soul-winning. Help me to interact and engage with the unsaved people in my sphere of influence.
May I be creative, innovative, relentless, and diligent in spreading the good news of salvation to the world.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.
It’s time to arise and do the work of an evangelist.
(Kindly share with someone today)
