Eating With Sinners

With the exception of early elementary school, I was never someone who had a whole lot of friends. I wasn't into sports, yo-yos, or Pokémon. Come middle school, I didn't go to the canteens or listen to Linkin Park. I managed to find some appreciation from the theatre crowd in high school, but I can't really say that I hung out with many of them outside of the auditorium. 

Likewise, I wasn't someone who socialized at church. I absolutely loathed the junior high ministry with its clique-ish guilt trip they tried to pull on what they referred to as, "loners". The high school ministry was much more accommodating. They gave me my space and I even went on a couple trips.  I'm far more approachable since then, but I don't go out of my way to have conversations with people in church. Which you would think, with my rather vanilla, square behavior that I would fit right in. *

Oddly enough, it was the opposite. Some of the friends I made in high school were pretty much the other direction of how I lived and believed. I made a friend my sophomore year who really loved smoking pot. Those who know me well can tell you that I hate the smell of marijuana and have never had much desire to try it. He had a passive, anti-religion outlook and he was pretty cynical and judgmental. For some reason, I found a lot of that to be hilarious. I still do. He was a very funny guy. But the big reason, the main reason, I hung with him was because his girlfriend was someone I knew for a couple of years. That was the motivation to hang around. His girlfriend was hot, so we all hung out.

My junior year arrived and I lost interest. The activities had grown monotonous and I wouldn't involve myself in their particular tastes, so I stopped hanging around after a while. There was no falling out or anything. It just kind of faded away. I got involved in theatre and found myself among a motley crew of colorful characters. Guys and gals. Liberals and conservatives. Straight and gay. Quite and loud. And yes, the very religious and the not so religious. When I was good, they loved me. I mean, really, really, loved me. I was somehow the polar opposite in that I could be very personable and charismatic in this milieu. The theatre gig followed me into graduation. 

You're probably wondering where I'm going with this. It's not an indictment of introverts or extroverts or friendships. Actually, it's a celebration of these things. More than that, it's an encouragement and acknowledgement of the opportunities that we can make use of as Christians. 

It's said that bad company corrupts good character. That's very true and I've seen friends and acquaintances taken to some dark places and, in a few cases, death. We, that is, the Body of Christ, need to have someone close to lean on and hold us accountable and we likewise do the same. It's also said that Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors and was criticized by the religious elite. The difference is that Jesus was showing compassion toward these individuals who were living on the fringe of society. He knew that they were living sinful lives, but also that they were hated and judged without any thought of offering help. Jesus, a respectable member of society, was the only one to give friendship and tell them that they were of value. As a result, many lives were changed and contributed to the spread of Christianity. 

We need to do the same. Many among the Body of Christ have become too focused on sins and less on sinners. Homosexuality is the current pet sin in the Church. "Hate the sin, love the sinner," they say. It's trite and hypocritical. We destroy a friendship before it's even been made! Why are we so quick to highlight their sins but not our own? How often have you heard this phrase applied to, say, someone who is prone to gossip? How about rage? Hubris?  I say, "Love the sinner." That's it. I'm not affirming a person's sin, but I am showing that I'm no better.     

I think back to all the different people I've associated with and befriended in the past. To my credit, I was not someone who turned up my nose for what I recognized as being sinful. Not all the time. Rather, I found common grounds on which to relate and enjoy with them. My regret is that I was passive in my faith and I missed moments where the Lord could've used me. I'm trying my best to rectify this as an adult and be conscientious for those openings. I urge you to do the same.  

- L. Travis Hoffman

11/25/2014

* This not how I actually perceive myself or other Christians. I'm merely using a caricature for the sake of making a point.