Lesson 1711

(Lesson 1711)(06-16-16) Luke 5:27-32

"And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

In today's lesson, after being challenged as to why He was associating Himself with those who were considered sinners by the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus made the point that He would preach to those who wanted to hear His word and were willing to listen. He also said, in essence, He would be wasting His time trying to teach those who are convinced that they already know everything.

The problem Jesus faced then is alive and well in today's so-called churches just as it was during the time of the ministry of Jesus Christ. There are far too many of today's "Christians" who are convinced that their distorted and selfish way of interpreting the word of God is indeed the way, when in actuality, their twisted doctrines are nothing more than a means by which they can control those who follow them and a means by which they can continue to enrich themselves with wealth and power.

We should prayerfully study every line of God's word to make sure that what we accept is the true intention of that word. If we do that, the Holy Spirit will not lead us astray.~