Jesus, Friend Of Sinners

When Jesus was called the “Friend of Sinners” It was an assault on His reputation.

Luke 19:5–7 AV

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

To Make things clear

Close Friends - You spend time with them by choice. You call each other, text regularly, spend time with one another, eat with and do things with them. You will tend to have a serious and deep relationship with these friends. They know you on a deep level, and you know them too. You probably confide very personal things in this type of friend.

Acquaintance Friends. - These are people you come across in your daily life. Perhaps it is a co-worker, perhaps it is a friend of a friend, a distant neighbor, someone online,  etc. You don’t confide in them or get counsel from them.

Even when people reject the Gospel, we should be friendly with them.

Mark 2:17 AV

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 5:44 AV

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 22:37–39 AV

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Should Christians Have Close Friendships With Unbelievers?

believers and unbelievers will naturally be separated.

Amos 3:3 AV

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

2 Corinthians 6:14–17 AV

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Unequally yoked - mismatched

Fellowship - partnership; working toward common goals

communion- having in common; common interests,

Concord - a sounding together, Eng. “symphony”

Part - sharing of inheritance

Light with Darkness

Christ With Belial

Believers with Infidels

Temple with Idols

Not only are those Scriptures extremely clear, but also look at what Jesus spoke about unrepentant brothers and sisters.

Matthew 18:15–17 AV

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

1 Corinthians 5:11 AV

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:14 AV

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Ashamed - produce a feeling of loss or shame which involves a change of conduct or return back to what was lost.