“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

                  -Romans 5:10

If you’ve been in more than a few church services and listened to more than a couple Christian songs throughout the course of your life, then you’ve probably heard it said that Jesus Christ is a “friend of sinners.” This is a very common misconception that has its root in Matthew 11:19 where the Lord quoted His enemies who, in an attempt to discredit Him before the people, proclaimed, “Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.”  Yet if this verse indicates that Christ is indeed a friend of sinners, then it would also indicate that He is a gluttonous winebibber and thus in violation of Old Testament teaching (Proverbs 23:21).

“Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.” 

                                                        -John 15:14

Not only did Christ intentionally cast a negative light on the insults He received by the modern-day religious leaders, but completely contradicted their claim by describing His true friends as those Who keep His commandments. Since 1 John 3:4 defines sin as the breaking of God’s law and a sinner is one who does this habitually (3 John 1:11), it is utterly impossible for a nonbeliever to be meet God’s requirement for friendship. Just like the great patriarch Abraham, being called God’s friend requires us first to be justified and cleansed of the sin which serves as a divider between us and the Most High (James 2:23; Isaiah 59:2). It is only then that we can be saved from eternal destruction and enjoy personal and intimate fellowship with the Lord Himself (Revelation 3:20, 21).

Despite the sobering truth that all sinners are under the wrath of God (Ephesians 2:3), our Lord is One Who practices His Own teaching. That is, just as He instructed us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), He also loves His, and desires above all that we be reconciled by the blood of His Son (Colossians 1:21; II Peter 3:9). Unfortunately, this does not always happen and many choose instead to always pursue a life of sin and rebellion without ever acknowledging the grace and forgiveness of God. Don’t let yourself be numbered among those who rejected the offer of God’s salvation; those who stand against the Lord will never prosper (2 Chronicles 13:12; Proverbs 28:13).