"All Have Sinned"

All Have Sinned  Today’s power scripture comes from Mark 2: 17  “When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (NKJV)       The other day I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio) and a commentator spoke about the sinful nature of what was transpiring in the Ukraine.  Yes, there are atrocities occurring worldwide but his comments struck me oddly because he spoke as if our nation was so on the side of right that we could unashamedly point fingers.  There are no big “I”s and little ‘u’s or big or little sins.  We have all sinned and fallen short.  If it were not for the gap which Jesus fills for us, we would all fall away.   It is true that some nations oppress their citizens and what seems like moral decay afflicts areas because of greed, lasciviousness and corruption. But do not let the main stream media fool us into believing that our noses are all that clean. We don’t’ have to look afar into foreign countries to actuate blame; let us be careful about pointing fingers in our own families.  Many of us have family members who are not saved or who are for the sake of a better term  - “backslidden”.  When we interact with members of our family who are struggling to see the love of Jesus in their lives, we must treat them gently and usher them into the presence of God through compassion.  Our God does not want hostages or anyone who feels they have been railroaded or taken by force.  God does not need coercion or strong-arm tactics to further his Kingdom building.  Nothing wrong with being radical for Christ; just make sure we are rational.       A prominent comedian often tells others when their actions are less than savory - .”You need Jesus”.  Yes, we all need Jesus but we don’t need to get him by shame or trickery or by force.  Jesus comes to our door and knocks…never with a battering ram…just his own nail scarred hand.  When we witness, remember all have fallen short, including us…we are just saved by Grace. .  Every day is a good day it is up to us to make it a GREAT power-filled day.  Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn      audio youtube = http://youtu.be/dHJoYUeZ9OI