Losers: Criminals & Crooks
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable due to the crowd, because he was short in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree in order to see Him, because He was about to pass through that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down, and received Him joyfully. When the people saw this, they all began to complain, saying, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner!” But Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am giving back four times as much.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:1-10 (NASB)
Aren’t criminals and crooks proven losers? They’re either locked up right now… or should be. They’re either bold sinners… or sneaky ones.
Either way, it’s blatantly obvious that they’re not qualified to be Christians. No self-respecting church should welcome them. Right?
WRONG! The Son of God said (when He was questioned on this very point)…
‘I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’ (Luke 5:32).
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
I ask you to look deeper in this Verse. The King of Words was using IRONY, as God says many times in many ways:
‘No one is righteous— not even one’ (Romans 3:10).
‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).
Here’s how I see it in my words (not God’s), but I think they “jive” with what Jesus said, especially in Matthew 23:
“You high and mighty religious leaders are just as guilty of sin… OR MORE SO (than people you think are “detestable"). Because you claim to be teachers for God, you should know and show better, but you don’t. Therefore, you’ve become religious phonies and hypocrites. You’re wolves in sheep’s clothing. Better open sinners than fake Christians.”
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Be real. Don’t judge. Don’t condemn. Just show love! God’s Heart is open, and yours must be, too. Only God can decide who’s a loser! Represent God’s Team with smiles and kindness. Our Father wants EVERYONE to be saved!
Losers: Criminals & Crooks (Part 16)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.