June 12, 2019

June 12

Running with Jesus  

Luke 19:7,10 “And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.”  “For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost.”

     Sometimes as Christians I think we forget “all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God”   Romans 3:23. Those Pharisees are still running right along beside us as we are running with Jesus.  When they saw Jesus going home with Zacchaeus they started murmuring.  He is a guest at a sinner’s house. We must watch out and remember we become like those who we run with.  Today, we often have to remind ourselves of where we come from and only by grace, God kept us from going down a wrong path. Praise God!  Our run through life should be on mission with Jesus and we need not to be too quick to judge people.  It is so sad that we live in a world that many do not know who Jesus is and therefore don’t even know they are lost and dying and will spend eternity in hell.  It is our job to share the love of Christ with them. We are to never participate in their sin but, we are to find a way to share the gospel with them. 

     Jesus is our image of compassion and mercy.  We tend to not be merciful. Mercy is giving unmerited, (undeserved) favor.  God was merciful to us as sinners and we are to be merciful to others who are sinners.  When Jesus looked at the lost He saw their soul needing help.  He died to redeem them.

     A sinner can be born again and his heart changed and we see the effects of Zacchaeus life when Jesus came home with him.  Zacchaeus told Jesus he would give half his goods to the poor and any false accusation, I will restore fourfold.  Sinners with Jesus can change, never right a person off.  Pray for the lost souls running around you and ask God to open doors for you to witness to them.  Never have a Pharisee attitude that you are better because only by God’s grace have you been kept from some ungodly life style. We are all sinners and sin daily saved by grace through Jesus Christ.

Father, forgive us from any judgmental spirit and help us to be moved with compassion when dealing with lost souls.  Lead us today to someone we can share Christ with.  Father, restore our land, keep the freedom to worship and talk about You so lost souls can know You love them.  Help us be lost soul seekers, like You. 

     Stay focused as you run today, sinners are running beside you; use the run as an opportunity to share.

Tomorrow: Are you using your gifts and talents?

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015