Here is today’s Bible Reading: Genesis 26:17-27:46; Matthew 9:1-17; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 3:9-10
Matthew 9:10-13 (NIV)
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” [12] On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
One of the challenges of being a Christian and especially a pastor is that you tend to spend all of your time with Christians. We study God’s Word together, we pray together, we minister together, we fellowship together. These are all great things. But we have to be intentional about “having dinner at Matthew’s house.” What I mean is, we have to make time to develop relationships outside the church with people who don’t know the hope that is within us. If we are not careful, our Christian friends and Christian activities can sabotage our ability to be salt and light.
So, how are you doing in this? Are you spending enough time in God’s house? Are you spending enough time in Matthew’s house? I need more time in Matthew’s house.
Like the Apostle Paul, I want more than anything to know Christ (Phil. 3:10). I do not want to simply know about Him. I want to know Him-- personally, intimately, and experientially. It is not enough for me to hear about Him. I want to see Him with my own eyes.
With My Own Eyes 
Susan
January 12, 2012 at 4:33 pm
I also agree it is important to spend time in Matthews house. It is easy to become isolated or insulated by fellow Christians. Abraham’s faith was seen by non-believers and he won the hearts of his enemies (or so that was my interpretation). Proverbs 3:3 tells us that we will win favor in the sight of God and man if we let love and faithfulness never leave us. I think it also important to stay principled and in fellowship with other believers to avoid losing focus and being tossed here and there like a ship on the rough seas of life. For me, I must work to keep that balance. Praise God.