It’s amazing what can come out of a daily devotion! In early 2016, around the same time we launched our radio ministry, ONE JAM NATION Radio, I had subscribed to Greg Laurie’s Harvest Ministries. It was on my heart to follow, learning more about the heart of other ministries.
Every morning, I would receive a daily devotion via email from Greg Laurie and the one he wrote for Saturday, April 30, 2016 was so very relevant to me, because that day, I had written on the same topic so it was a powerful confirmation… In his daily devotion, Greg wrote:
Jesus, the Friend of Sinners
“How was Jesus known when He walked this earth? He was known as ‘the friend of sinners.’ We might think that sounds like a compliment now, but it wasn’t meant as a compliment then.
Some members of the Jewish leadership establishment were appalled that Jesus would hang out with sinners. No, He never compromised—this was our Holy God in the flesh. But He loved these outcasts, this off-scouring of society, and they knew that He loved them. They were drawn by that love just like moths are drawn to a lantern in the middle of the wilderness.
As Greg’s daily devotion encourages us to do, we need to love people in the same way. Since we’re going to be persecuted, let’s be persecuted for the right reasons. Not for being self-righteous but for being righteous.”
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (Matthew 5:11).
This daily devotion has stuck with me ever since. Jesus is indeed the friend of sinners and as we lead our lives, as faithful brothers and sisters of Christ, we can help draw souls to Him. And yes, just like a moth to the flame.
Daily Devotion
Being human in nature [living by our flesh], we do tend to judge people based on their status quo. We measure their importance by how many “likes” or “follows” they may receive, or maybe even by the position they hold in life: doctor, lawyer, etc.
Do we consider often enough, just helping someone for the sake of helping? Or what about loving someone for the sake of loving? What does our daily devotion to God look like?
We are all at a different places in our daily devotion to the Lord however we shouldn’t let that be a reason to miss the opportunity to help someone in need, or to be a friend in a situation the Lord has allowed me to be involved in. I cannot be everywhere; however, I can most certainly pray as part of my daily devotion to Jesus.
Peace within the body
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
Peace within the body, truly, does require a peace within its many working parts. When we’re able to see past our own differences, focusing instead on what the Word of God has to say, understanding what He has revealed to us in our daily devotion, then, and only then, will we be able to help make this happen.
No matter what barriers the world may try to produce, we must all remember that we are created in His likeness – He put us together, utilizing our gifts, our talents, in a very special way.
Being among others who do not always see eye to eye, can be a challenge; but, it should not hinder us from loving them, just the same.
Let’s follow the example that Jesus has set for us. This is the message that was in Greg Laurie’s daily devotion and it is also powerfullly captured in the song below from Casting Crowns – Jesus, Friend of Sinners.
