There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23, 24
There is a reason why we don’t greet each other, “Hello there sinner! How are you today?” “Got any sinning planned for the afternoon?” Yea, no, that just wouldn’t do, would it? People would see you coming a mile away and avoid you at all costs. Or they might start walking with a baseball bat if you keep calling them sinners.
No, I don’t recommend this as a spiritual practice. I don’t know if Jonah was practicing his spirituality when he went into Ninevah and basically said you are all sinners and are in big trouble. The funny thing in that case, it worked. They had one response; they repented. How do you like the idea that you might be living in heaven next door to one of those wicked Ninevites?
They turned 180 degrees and decided to turn back toward God and away from themselves as god. This is also the pattern of the greatest Old Testament story, that of the Shepherd King, David.
The down side of David’s life was that he too was a sinner, in some cases a big time, wicked, brutal and at times, heartless King. I hope he lives in my neighborhood in heaven. I’m going to have a lot of conversations with him. I think I know what he will say to this question, You did so many evil things David, why do you think God called you a man after His own heart?
Boom, mic drop, that question is. You see, God has a funny way of talking about us sinners. It doesn’t make sense in fact, until you understand the simple act of repentance. This act is a turning away from your own abilities, strengths, confidence, and so much more, and turning toward God as your all in all.
You turn your life over to Him because He has finally gathered your full attention and you are tired of living in a pit of hopelessness. I wish all would repent and know this joyful truth. Then I could greet them as saints.
I still struggle to find repentance in Jonah’s personal life. His audience repented, but did he? I can hear you now, What did Jonah do wrong? He finally carried out Gods orders, didn’t he? Sure did, right up to the point where he didn’t allow Gods love to melt his own heart. Think about the incredible lives that were changed forever on that day when he preached in their presence. One of the greatest convocations in history. And Jonah, as we see him in the short book of Jonah, didn’t get it. At least not fully, and maybe not then. I have a strong hunch that he did get it at some point. I sure hope so.
David was at once the worst king and the greatest king. All it took was a turning toward the King of Kings. I won’t call you sinner anytime soon, but don’t be surprised if I tell you about One who gave His life for sinners and even counted Himself as a sinner, strange as that sounds. BTW, I’ll be glad to live next door to any Ninevite in heaven as well.
So what do we have in common? We are all sinners, right? But don’t forget about that second statement. “All are justified freely by his grace…”
Next time I see you I just might surprise you with, “Hello Saint.”
