Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors will you sit at His table?

Keep yourself in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 21 NKJV
 
It seems young people who do not attend church have a low opinion of Christians. They think we are self righteous and hypocritical. A Pastor said the views held by unsaved, un-churched young people are probably correct to some degree. I agree with him. 
 
The biggest problem in any church is the people who attend it. All people sin and fall short of the glory of God!
 
Jesus is not calling us to defend ourselves or argue against the negative stereotypes of Christians. Jesus is calling us to serve Him by humbling ourselves before people who are critical of us. The Lord is calling us to follow His example of laying down His life for us!
 
Going to church on Sunday is a priority for me.  I read my bible every day. I pray and set time aside for fellowship with Jesus every day. Those are good disciplines to build into my life.
 
Only God can change my heart. Only God can mold me and shape me into the image of Jesus. The Holy God of the bible calls us to be Holy. The Lord of perfection calls us to be perfect! 
 
How can we be Holy? How can we be perfect? Love covers over a multitude of sins! 
 
How do we keep ourselves in the love of God? We keep ourselves in the love of God by extending the mercy and grace of God to other people! 
 
It is human nature to cry out to God for mercy when we sin and expect the Lord to judge other people for their sins. Man’s ways are not God’s ways!
 
In James 2:13 we read; for judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.
 
Mercy triumphs over judgment. Jesus is telling us we will be judged by the same standard we use to judge other people. Jesus holds us to a higher standard because we carry His name. Jesus expects more of us because we belong to Him!
 
Do not judge unsaved people by the righteous standards of God. Ask the Lord of the Harvest to use you to accomplish His good and perfect will for their other people’s lives.
 
Ask God to give you a willing heart so He can accomplish great and mighty things in your life and with your life. Ask Jesus to give you what you need when you need it so He can use you to bring other people into His Kingdom!
 
Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors. How can you sit at His table? Jesus never condemned sinners. He did criticize people who thought they were sinless. Don’t look down on anybody. God lifts-up the humble in spirit. He opposes the proud in heart. Honor Jesus and the God of grace will honor you!
 
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