Gospel Reflections #80: Neither Good nor Bad, Just Sinners

Luke 13:4 'And do you think those 18 who died when the tower of Siloam fell were more sinful than any other people who lived in Jerusalem?"

In ancient Jewish culture, adversity and calamity were interpreted as a direct judgment from God against the most sinful.

In our own minds, do we too, like the Jews, make distinctions between good Christians, bad Christians, and non-Christians? Do we make such distinctions based on our own standards of judgment?

From God's point of view, no matter how many Christians are doing service, or how many are not keeping the Sabbath, or how many are still ignorant of God, they are all sinners in the same way.

Jesus makes it clear that we are all sinners in need of repentance. Repentance means to turn toward God (a total change of direction). It is not about being sorry or apologizing to God. God recognizes that we are separate from Him, and He simply loves us. To realize and respond to that love is repentance.

Even when we are sinners, comparing ourselves to someone else and feeling happy or sad about our superiority or inferiority, Jesus responds to our needs and prepares the way for us all to be turned around.

We are neither good nor bad Christians. We are all sinners saved by Jesus. Jesus took us all sinner back at the cost of his life.

Knowing this, how do you want to respond?

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.