Solomon: “My child, if sinners entice
you, turn your back on them!” Proverbs 1:10 NLT
Peer pressure is one of the most powerful motivators of our behavior
nowadays. We all want to “fit in.” We want to be part of the “in” crowd.
Remember the song:
“I’m in with the in crowd,
I go where the in crowd goes…
I know what the in crowd knows.
I know every latest dance,
It’s easy to find romance.
If it’s square, we ain’t there!”
If we are following Jesus’ Great Commission, making disciples of all
nations, then by definition we’re hanging out with sinners, the ones who have
not yet accepted the Good News. Jesus, using an analogy, taught, “Healthy
people don’t need a doctor; sick people do.” Matthew 9:12 CEV
We’re called to love sinners, help them, pray for them, teach them, but
NOT join with them in the sin. If someone wants to stop drinking, I can sit down and try to
help. But I cannot join the big party-night out on the town.
Our society
has the labels reversed. The “in” crowd, those who appear to be having all the
fun, are actually the sinners. And those obediently following the Lord, those plain folks who really have it all together, are labeled “square” and “not hip.”
Maybe
Christianity needs a little PR campaign, to let everyone know that we’re the
good guys, and that they would actually be “cooler” if they were “in” with the
children of the living God.
May God’s
blessings fill your homes during this season of goodwill to all mankind.
Sunday, Dec.
16, 10:30am Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers in the North end of the
Oliver Ministry Building, 27th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis.
We look forward to the Christmas season as Pastor Michael continues teaching
from Luke.
What an honor – I’ve been asked to help with the
11pm Christmas Eve service at Trinity Lutheran of Minnehaha Falls, 5212 41st
Ave. S., 55417, where I was worship leader for a number of years. Permit me to
quote John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, “We’re puttin’ the band back together;
we’re on a mission from God!” We held our first rehearsal last Wednesday, and
I’m excited. This is truly going to be a great night of prayer, music and
message honoring our Savior Jesus the Christ. If you don’t have plans for
Christmas worship, or if you’d like to take in an extra service, you’re all
invited – you won’t be sorry! Make
sure you come up and say hi!
NL
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