Sitting at a table with sinners is causing you to sin? it’s time to get up.

This week’s blog is one I’m honestly writing to an older version of me. One that cared more about the way the world felt about her than how Jesus does. If you’re this girl today, please know you’re not alone. I know it’s hard to get up, but this is my plea to you to do it scared! The close circle of friends God wants in your life will not lead you into rooms He wouldn’t want you in.

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If sitting at a table with sinners is causing you to sin, it’s time to get up.

I know. Starting with a bang. But in truth, I think it’s a reality we all need to start listening to. I got the idea for this blog because of a TikTok I saw. It said “Jesus sat with sinners, He didn’t sin. Learn the difference.” This quote really stuck with me because how many times are we justifying someone else’s sin by sitting at the table and sinning with them? Every. Single. Time.

We use the idea that Jesus sat with sinners in hopes that we make ourselves feel better about the sin we’re committing. We even take it a step further by saying, “You only live once. Ask for forgiveness later.” I would argue that life is short, eternity is forever. It’s time to start preparing now. How are you preparing for eternity if you’re not even getting to know the Creator? How are you preparing for eternity by justifying your actions with “Well everyone is doing it?” You’re not.

Your job as a Christian at a table of unrepentant sinners is not to justify the sin, it’s to show people the love and peace you find from Christ. It’s to show people the right example Christ set forth that makes you want to follow God. You cannot do this if you’re actively participating in the things of this world. You cannot do that if you’re giving into your fleshly desires.

We often use Jesus as the example to sit with sinners. This example is absolutely correct because though his disciples were sinners, they moved on to change the world! Jesus was the influence they needed to change into who God called them to be. To say we shouldn’t sit with sinners is just incorrect. We sound like the Pharisees. The difference between us and Jesus is that Jesus didn’t sin with them. He did not partake in any action that would feed His fleshly desires. He sat at that table to be the way, the truth, and the life. He did not sit at that table to justify or partake in any sin or activity that could lead to sin.

“When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭

Our reality is that we are human. We are not perfect. When allowed to feed our flesh, it is entirely possible that we give in. Jesus is different. He is perfect. There was no doubt that He could and would deny His human desires. The tables He sat at did not and would not change Him. As humans, it’s so hard to deny our flesh, pick up our crosses, and follow Jesus fully. It’s so hard to not give in when everyone around you is doing it. It’s hard to sit at a table with sinners and not sin, especially if you’re not staying in His Word every day.

Think about your life. Are you currently sitting at a table that is causing you to sin? Are you currently at a table you need to get up from? This isn’t a call to leave those friends entirely. This is a call to stop allowing sin to control your life, to stop putting yourself in situations that you know are harming you, and to stop making excuses for sin. If you need to get up, get up! If you need to be a better light, be one! Inviting those friends to church, small group, grab a coffee, a trip to the farmers market, etc. is far more rewarding than actively affirming sin and continuing to live in it!

As Christians, we are called to pick up our crosses daily and follow Him. Not once or twice a week. If sitting at that table is hindering your relationship with God or causing you to live in sin, it’s time to get up. Be the example Christ calls you to be. Live set apart.