“While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners'” (Mark 2:15-17).

Jesus had no problems hanging out and eating with sinners and tax collectors. Sinners and tax collectors, prostitutes and thieves were exactly who Jesus sought out.

Jesus didn’t seek out sinners and tax collectors so that Jesus can be inclusive, tolerant, and welcoming.

That was not why Jesus came. That was not why Jesus would die on the cross and rise again on the third day.

Jesus hung out and ate with sinners and tax collectors so that he could call them to repentance so he can save them!

If we miss this, we miss the entire point of the gospel.

• The gospel is good news because God rescues us from our sins.
• The gospel is good news because God doesn’t leave us in our sins.
• The gospel is good news because God transforms us from sinners to children of God.

Church, all sinners – sinners of all types, sinners of all flavors – are welcome to the church because God welcomes all sinners to repent and be saved from our sins. But don’t confuse God’s welcome of sinners with God’s acceptance of sins. Jesus died for our sins.

The reason why we have a place in God’s kingdom is because God received sinners like you and me in order to rescue us from sin.

That’s why he is our Savior.

Thanks be to God!

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house built but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete” (Luke 6:46-49).

Howard Hendricks used to tell his students at Dallas Theological Seminary, “God doesn’t reveal himself to you to make you smarter sinners. God reveals God-self to you to transform you.”

It’s not about information. It’s all about application.

It is great that you are reading these Verse of the Day and interacting with God’s word on a daily basis. Studying and growing in your knowledge of God is a good thing. We cannot grow and mature as a Christian without growing in knowledge of God’s word. Faith grows where God’s word flows.

We grow in our faith as our knowledge of God and God’s word grows.

But there’s something critical for us as Western Christians to understand. The separation of knowledge from action is a Western philosophical concept. In Eastern and Middle Eastern thinking, there is no such thing as knowing something that doesn’t translate into doing something. Knowledge is doing.

Do you realize that Satan knows God’s word? Satan knows God’s word better than you, but he’s still Satan. He is still the father of lies. He is evil.

Knowledge without application is deadly. Knowing God better has to lead to applying God’s word better. Satan knows God’s word. But there is zero application of God’s truths.

A follower of Jesus Christ follows Jesus. That’s what being a Christian literally means. You do what Jesus does. You love what Jesus loves. You hate what Jesus hates. You follow Jesus.

Before we end, let me make clear that our deeds are in response to God’s grace and love. Our deeds do not save us. Only God’s grace can save us. But because we are saved by God’s grace, we respond with our obedience.

When it comes to knowing God, it’s not about information. It’s all about application.

“Do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Our world tells us to “Follow your heart.” Jesus tells us, “Follow me.”
Our world tells us to “Believe in yourself.” Jesus tells us, “Believe in me.”
Our world tells us to “Discover yourself.” Jesus tells us, “Deny yourself.”
Our world tells us to “Be true to yourself.” Jesus tells us, “Be true to me.”

What our world tells us sounds so nice, so “true”, so good. But it’s all lies.

How do I know that? I’ve tried to live life my way. It didn’t turn out very well. It actually hurt quite a bit. Look at all the people who have tried to live by the mantras of the world. It might lead to temporary happiness and bliss, but it will always leave us empty and hurting…leaving a trail of broken hearts and people around us.

There is only one way to find true meaning, purpose, and happiness – by turning to our maker and discovering God’s will for our lives.

One of the most toxic belief systems in our culture is “Do what makes you happy.” The reason why “Do what makes you happy” is toxic is because oftentimes what we think will make us happy leads to misery for those around us, and ultimately us too.

The thing is, we are not called to do what makes us happy. We are called to do what glorifies God.

And, here’s the kicker. It’s only when we discover what God glorifies God that we experience happiness and joy. When we glorify God, we get happiness and joy as a by-product. But when we seek our happiness, happiness and joy is always fleeting.

DO WHAT GLORIFIES GOD!!!