Ever since the earliest days of the Church, believers have had to come to terms with how they would relate to those around them who did not share their faith.

Jesus, himself, taught us that there are two paths through life: a broad road leading to destruction and a narrow road leading to eternal life - and that we all are journeying down one road or the other. Sadly, Jesus added that the broad road (representing a lifestyle that rejects the gospel) would be more heavily traveled and his words have certainly proven to be accurate. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Thus, this issue that believers through the years have faced is one that is still with us in this 21st century. We, too, must answer the question, "How will we relate to those around us who do not share our faith?"

I choose to refer to those outside the faith as the sought. Perhaps I should take a moment to explain myself. Jesus said in Luke 19:10, For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

As we've just read, the term that Jesus used to refer to those outside of the faith was the lost. It creates a vivid mental picture; one most of us can relate to. Have you ever been lost and in need of rescue? It is a harrowing experience.

Now, I remind you that Jesus said he came to seek and to save these precious ones who were spiritually lost. He gave his life so that everyone - women, men, girls, and boys - might be rescued, forgiven, and enter into a relationship with God. And he is still seeking followers today. I prefer to call those outside the faith the sought.

In this series of articles, we are taking a look at experiences in the life of Christ in which we find him dealing with the same issues we deal with in our own day. And in today's scripture reading taken from Mark, chapter two, we find an interesting glimpse into how Jesus related to the sought. Notice these verses...

As he walked along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax collector's booth. Follow me, Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. 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.

In today's reading, we find two approaches to relating to the sought. The first approach is modeled for us by the Pharisees.

The Pharisees, you may know, were a particular sect among the Jews of Jesus' day. They were traditionalists. I say that because they held to the traditions of their elders and especially to their interpretation of the Old Testament law. They were also legalists. They distilled the Old Testament law into 613 rules to live by - 248 commands and 365 prohibitions. And the Pharisees were also separatists. They were willing to include others in their circle but only if they came to them and adopted their ways.

Please note that this approach was characterized by isolation. The Pharisees would not normally associate with the kind of people Jesus was dining with and they were not favorably impressed by the fact that Jesus spent time with such individuals. They preferred to keep sinners at arm's length. To me, all of this is indicates both pride - "We're better people than the sinful crowd." - and also a certain level of insecurity - "We don't hang around with such people because we don't want to be contaminated by them." The end result of such an approach to the sought is that they stay lost!

The second approach to the sought in today's scripture reading is modeled for us by Jesus. Notice the he didn't avoid these sinners. He was willing to interact with them. In fact, he was more concerned about the spiritual needs of his dinner companions than he was about what sort of reputation he might earn for spending time with them and when his actions were called in to question, he responded by stating his purpose in coming to earth. He came to minister to the spiritually needy. And that's just what he did - and they responded to him!

From Jesus' example, we can learn several things...

• We need to see the sought as potential learner/followers of Christ.

  Rather than to automatically assume that those outside of the faith are not interested in the gospel, perhaps we need to spend more time with them demonstrating the love of Christ and responding to their questions. There are those among the sought who will become our brothers and sisters in Christ; allies in the advancing the kingdom of God.

• If we want to lead others to faith, we will need to go where they are.

  For a wide variety of reasons, certainly some of which are legitimate, many of those outside of faith in Christ in our society will not darken the door of the church. If they are going to be reached, we will have to go to them.

• It is concern for the spiritual welfare of others that prompts outreach.

  If only every believer would have a genuine concern for the spiritual welfare of others! This "burden" for people outside of Christ will prompt us to overcome any fear or reticence to in sharing the gospel. God desires to minister to others through us.

• We must understand our purpose - we are to make disciples.

  Jesus came to call people to repentance and we continue this ministry as we seek to honor the command of our Lord to "go and make disciples." (Matthew 28:19)

Our attitudes and actions either help lead people closer to faith in God or they push them further away. May God help us to learn from and follow the example of Jesus.

Mark is the Pastor of the Evangel Assembly of God located at 1633 Portage Road, Wooster, Ohio, and he would like to extend a cordial invitation for you to join them in worship. If you do not live locally but will be visiting some of the popular attractions in nearby Holmes County, please consider making Evangel one of your stops.

"Reflections" is updated each week with sermons and discourses that reflect the spiritual life of the local community and encourage us to dedicate time and effort to renewing our faith. As we endeavor to represent all faiths, we heartily encourage religious leaders of every denomination and creed to submit copy to be considered for this column.

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