Together in Christ: 'Association with Unbelievers' — Luke 15:1-2

As we look at our relationships with unbelievers, we realize there is a necessary tension between being in the world and not being corrupted by the world.  ^[1] The apostle John warned first-century disciples of Jesus of this tension:

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. ^[2]

While we don't want to be led astray by the world and its values, Jesus sent us into the world to redeem the world, ^[3] similar to the way the Father sent Him into the world. ^[4] Our mission is to reach the people of the world with the Good News of Jesus and invite them to become His disciples. ^[5] We are to be preservative salt to a world in decay and light to a world trapped in darkness. ^[6] We are not to hide from the lost people of our world, but Jesus commanded us to GO into all the world and GO to all people, so we can help them become disciples of Jesus. ^[7]

Jesus and the apostle Paul are our two great examples of being in the world, but living holy lives, loving the people trapped by the world and its desires, and leading them to salvation. Jesus' and Paul's passionate words are our reminders that our commitment is to be in the world to help the lost and broken people of the world find Jesus:

But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw [Jesus] eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?"

When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." ^[8]

I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. ^[9].

We make friends with and associate with people who are not followers of Jesus because we live in the world, and Jesus called us to lead people from the world to Him. We don't do this just as a mission to fulfill but as people shaped by Jesus and His love for all people and His desire to see them saved! ^[10].