Fascinating People

Jesus was always getting critized by the religious leaders because He associated with the "sinners."  Check out this account in Matthew:

Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He *said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. (10) Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. (11) When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?" (12) But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. (13) "But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Who do you hang out with?  Often times, Frank and I hear you tell us, "all my friends are Christians."  And, we are happy you are choosing to fellowship with Christians; however, what about the non-Christians in the area of your influence?

 

On Saturday, I had the joy of spending time with a gal who was my best friend in college.  I am so thankful God has brought us back together at just this time in both of our lives!  We are both excited and thankful for a renewed friendship (praise God!).

 

As it turns out, her name happens to be Debbie.  This is the 3rd Debbie in my life right now!  So I have my San Diego Debbie friend, my co-worker Debbie, and my best friend Debbie.

 

I was instantly reminded of one of the really awesome qualities I always admired in San Diego Debbie: her love, fasicnation of and empathy for people.  Genuine empathy.  And, her compassion.  Not only was I the recipient of this beautiful quality, but so were the restaurant employees, customers around us and others walking into the restaurant.  No one was beneath her ready smile, friendly banter...twinkling, earnest gaze.  There is no question Debbie sincerely enjoys and cares for people: friends and acquaintances and strangers alike.

 

Frank has this quality too.  I've always remarked that I love to see the world through his eyes.  He, like Debbie, finds people fascinating, interesting and of intrinsic value.  My best friend Debbie has this ability as well.  She loves people and is selfless in her warmth, love and care for others.  Her compassion towards others has no limits.

 

What about you?

 

People who trust Jesus, who want to follow Him, obey His commandments...they don't care about their reputation.  They care about Jesus' reputation.  They see though His eyes and look beyond the exterior of a person.  Jesus followers are ready to show His love, His compassion and say to a lost person, "you have value, you are loved, so much so, Jesus died for you."  Read on to see what today's PW Devo has to say further on this topic.
 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Walk This Way: Harmonize Posted: 23 Mar 2010 02:19 PM PDT "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." (Romans 12:16) Is it just me, or is this verse repeating itself? Is it just me, or is this very saying the same thing more than once? It's like Paul thought we needed to hear it twice in order for this simple idea to penetrate our me-centric hearts. Here's one approach to life: Live to win. Protect what's yours at all costs. Don't let anyone get the better of you. You'll never belong in the best crowd if you hang out with the lamest one. If no one is beneath you, then you're on the bottom. And here's the Jesus way to walk: Live to help others win. Take yourself out of competition for most popular. Be good to everyone and too good for no one. Imagine how the least popular people will look in eternity when glorified, sinless, and living up to their full design specifications. Think: How often would you say you have an actual goal of living in harmony with other people? How many people of low position on the world's scale would say you're their friend? Pray: Ask God to help you to live in harmony with others. Ask Him to help you not to be proud or conceited, but to be willing to hang out with people who rank low on the world's scale. Do: Make a quick list of three Christians you know who really seem to make a point to hang out with low-positioned people.

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Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/