Ezekiel 18:26-32 (NKJV)
26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies.
27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive.
28 Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair?
30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!
Romans 12:9-21 (NKJV)
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
It is important today and every day to reach out to the lost. They are not all sitting in the pews or attending church down the street. They are the people who are hurting and crying out for help. Many are being chased out of church because they smell bad, or because the crime that they committed makes them unforgivable. They are the people no one wants in their church, or near their families, yet they are our fathers, sons, daughters, mothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins of each and every one of us.
Many are turned away from jobs and housing because of their past criminal history, many just because of their attitude. We wonder why they have such negative attitudes, many times it is because of the Christians who turn up their noses at them and say there is nothing we can do to help you, and we do not want you in our church. Yet if you are truly walking with Jesus Christ in your heart the Holy Spirit will give you direction on what to say and what to do. The Lord will provide you with everything you need to help them; if you are being obedient to the Lord.
Luke 6:32 through Luke 6:39 32“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
37“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
39And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?
In reaching out to those whom no one else will, you have done exactly as Jesus did during His ministry here on earth. He reached out to the sick, poor, lost and brokenhearted, He gave them hope and a light to guide them.
When God forgives them, what will you do? It is not a question of If God forgives because God will forgive them.
1 John 1:9 through 1 John 1:10 (NKJV) 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Isaiah 43:25 through Isaiah 43:27 (NKJV) 25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. 26 Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.
It is our commission to reach out to the lost and to reconcile them to God and Jesus Christ. It is important to know that if we are truly abiding in Christ and He in us then we will do as the Lord directs us to in the Great Commission.
Matt. 28:18 through Matt. 28:20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Mark 16:15 through Mark 16:19 15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:12Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
It is my intent to follow Jesus and to do that I must understand my covenant relationship with Him and the Church. How my partnership works and where my loyalty and duty lies. It is spelled out in the Word of God.
Gmrophe's Blog 