The Church is for Sinners, not Saints
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While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:10-13)
When I first became a Christian at age 22, I thought church was only for perfect people. Or at least people who could act perfectly on Sunday mornings. I didn’t understand that the purpose of the church is to give a hand to the sick, not pat the healthy on the back.
Jesus often ate at the same table with “sinners”, and when he did, the Pharisees questioned why He did so. Jesus responded by saying “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Matthew 9:12) Author Brennan Manning puts it this way: “The church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners”. That’s encouraging, because I often don’t feel much like a saint. Do saints lose patience with their brothers and sisters in Christ? Lose their temper? Sometimes even lose that passionate fire for the gospel?
The apostle Paul recognized his own moral failures when he says: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” But Paul continued by noting “for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
So at the same time as we acknowledge our sin, by trusting in Jesus’ righteous sacrifice on the cross for our sins, we can gather together to strengthen and encourage each other in our faith, so that we can continually strive towards becoming “perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
Lesson: Never feel unworthy of worshiping God in repentance and faith with your fellow believers, because Jesus welcomes you to His table!
Question: Do you sometimes feel guilty or unworthy of worshiping God? Why do you feel that way?
It is so very important to express ourselves “the way it really is”. Thanks to each one of you for doing that!
Darren asks: “Do you sometimes feel guilty or unworthy of worshiping God?” My response is “yes, but only when there is un-confessed sin in my life”. When I keep a short account then I can be at ease in His presence. The process of sanctification, of becoming more Christ-like, is a life-long adventure! What may not have been a sin yesterday, may be a sin now because now the time has come to step up onto a new level of holy living.
It takes courage, Clem, to as you say: “find a prayer partner and confessed to him and ask him to hold me accountable.” May God help you to continue holding each other accountable. I was hesitant to do that a few years ago which I regret now, as my Christian life would have benefited greatly.
We need always come in humility to the throne of grace, and be in reverence as we get into the presence of God. There are times when asking, petitioning, or even complaining is O.K., while at other times I think we are only to thank and praise. This morning I was seeking an answer to a problem with the small sprayer ( go after weeds in the yard & garden) and was almost frantic in prayer; then He gave me the answer, and I immediately began to praise and thank Him.
I wish I didn’t have the guilty feeling of not giving him enough praise.
No. I pray a lot every day and I feel guilty sometimes that I’m not praying enough to God. I feel like I’m not giving God enough glory and honor he truly deserves.
Yes, I had a ongoing problem in my life for many yrs., I would take it to the Lord and lay it down but I did not leave there I always seem to pick it back up and this would effect my worship, The devil would set on my shoulder and tell me it was ok. I finally found a prayer partner and confessed to him and ask him to hold me accountable. A weight has been lifted and my time in worship is great the guilt is gone. So for me it was totally letting go of the very thing that was killing me. Since that time God has put others in my life to share with and pray for. May the Lord bless you and your walk with him. Stay strong, if I can pray for you in any way let me know we are all human and make mistakes…..
No. The church in the context of the structural buildings is not necessarily for sinners but a place where those who seek to know God go to renew their commitment to God and fellowship, share the gospel