Do Sinners Belong in the Church?

Do sinners belong in our church? The answer to this question begins with Jesus. 

When Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners, the Pharisees said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” (Matthew 9:11-13; Mark 2:15-17; Luke 5:29-32)

The Pharisees were troubled. They saw Jesus enjoying his time with the tax collectors and sinners. Jesus was a friend to sinners, because they needed a friend. A good physician cares for the sick, and does not desire that the sick remain ill. The physician does everything he can to help. If the sick do not want help, he will seek to show them the better way that is available to them. The friend does not desire the friendless to remain alone.

Do sinners belong in the church? The invitation of Jesus to enter the kingdom of God is extended to us sinners. Jesus receives sinners. All those that would try to stand before God on their own righteousness find themselves standing with the Pharisees on the outside of the feast. One pastor wrote, “Sinners are the largest growth market there is in my line of work.” Sinners belong in the church, just as people who are sick belong in a hospital.

How does the relationship with Christ, the ongoing journey in Christian discipleship, and indeed our redemption from death begin? It does not happen by our reason or strength. We cannot try hard enough to move ourselves from outside to inside. We cannot think our way out of sin. The story of salvation begins with the love of Jesus for sinners. Jesus called people to follow him. No one is excused or excluded from the call of Jesus to follow him. The move from outside to inside, the move toward full repentance and complete faith, sometimes is immediate. But truth is that we are saints and sinners. Faith in Christ justifies us. We are made righteous through our faith in Christ. Living into this righteousness is messy. 

How far along into this personal journey of holiness does a person need to be for you to love them and care about them and receive them as a guest? The love of God does not arrive after a person has done some of the work themselves. The love of God arrives while we were yet still sinners. Even now the love of God remains essential to my place in the kingdom of God as I am still repenting of my sin. I still need Jesus.

When a guest arrives to worship at a Christian congregation, they should be received with the love of God. No matter how perfect or imperfect his life is when he arrives into worship, he has a savior in Jesus Christ. 

We trust the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sins and lead us to trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The best place for a sinner to be transformed by the Holy Spirit is the place where the Word of God is vibrantly shared. I am confident in the working of the Holy Spirit. I believe in the Spirit to counsel and guide us to the truth. Jesus said to His disciples, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:26-27).

The Holy Spirit works in the gospel to lead us to repent of our sin and trust in Christ Jesus. This work of the Holy Spirit is not just happening on the first day we arrive into a worship service. Everyday we remember our sin and trust in the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• We will welcome people to worship. Sinners and saints are welcome.
• We will preach, teach, and believe the truth of God’s Law that convicts the sinful soul and the promises of God’s Gospel that rescues the lost and condemned.
• We will trust in the Holy Spirit to lead people to true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, and we will understand that the timing of the Spirit to transform lives is not in our control.