Thinking outside “the religious box”

So you know Jesus, now what?!

Thinking outside “the religious box”

Matthew 9:13 NKJV

13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Amplified Bible Chapter 9

13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. For I came not to call and invite [to repentance] the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin)

Thinking outside “the religious box” (1)

Some of the suspicions people have about Christians are:

"They judge me.

They are better than I am.

They won’t approve of me.

I won’t fit in with their religion.

They are all serious and no fun. 

I know that many of us have heard some of these things.

But if we take a close look at Jesus and His ministry we will notice that:

Jesus hung around enough parties for the Pharisees to accuse him of being a drunkard.

He befriended forbidden women. He interacted with people so he could introduce them to his Father.

He broke through stereotypes and communicated God as he is—approachable, merciful and graceful.

The people who were most upset…were the ones who preferred…the rules of the religion…

The concept of a free and joyful life with Jesus may seem basic for us, But is that what your neighbors think?

It feels as comfortable as sitting in your favorite chair to hang out with people who believe and feel as we do.

Fellowship among believers is a wonderful gift. But if we are truly to follow Jesus’ example, we need to look for opportunities to engage those around us.”

Luke 5:31–32 NKJV

31 Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Jesus is pretty much saying: “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick?…‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”

How can you share the gospel if all your friends are Christians?

Some of us have become so isolated and disconnected that we have no meaningful interaction whatsoever with nonbelievers.

And the more time passes, the more insulated and comfortable we become, until eventually we lose touch with the very people Jesus came to save.

Paul says,

1 Corinthians 9:22 NKJV

22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

It’s called thinking outside “the religious box,” and if we are to really fulfil the calling and command of “Go ye therefore” we are going to think outside the religious box.