I had an interesting evening yesterday after my meetings. I was hungry, so I went searching for a place to eat. It was almost 10 PM, so not much was open. I ended up in a bar in downtown Indianapolis.
Now most of you know I don’t drink alcohol, so this was a strange place for me to spend an evening. Don’t worry, I didn’t get soused. Hard to get drunk on a Sprite!
I did enjoy the experience, however. The food was excellent and I got to watch some football and commiserate with fellow Buffalo Bill fans over their loss to the Colts.
As I sat there, I realized I’d never eaten in a bar my life. I also realized, because of that, I’ve probably missed a lot of opportunities to get to know people and maybe even to share Jesus with them. After all, where better to reach the hurting, but where they go to drown out their pain?
I think we Christians spend way too much time hiding in our homes or huddling together in our churches, afraid we’ll be contaminated by the very world we’ve been called to help. After all, Jesus did tell us to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mark 16:15 NLT. “Everyone” includes people in bars.
Galatians 6:1 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.”
Sometimes to save a drowning person you have to get into the water with them. But if you do, remember Paul also cautions you to “be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” In other words, if you already have a problem with alcohol, a bar may not be your best mission field.
Jesus was condemned by the Pharisees for associating with sinners, but I have a feeling He took that as a compliment, because He replied, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Matthew 9:13 NKJV. Their comment confirmed He was doing what He was called to do.
It’s time for us to start following His example. We need to stop spending all our time with “righteous” and go where the people are. Just make sure, wherever you go, you invite Jesus to come along!
God bless and have a great day!