When you think of “sinners” who might be excluded from God’s kingdom, does anyone come to mind? If so, you may be entering dangerous territory. The Pharisees were certain of their own seat at God’s table, convinced that the tax collectors and prostitutes had no such place. But Jesus came precisely for the people the religious crowd wrote off. He welcomes the broken, the fallen, the forgotten with open arms the moment they repent and turn to Him. God’s grace reaches farther than our judgments, and we may be surprised by those who are on heaven’s guest list!

The Danger of Being Good Enough
There are basically two kinds of people: those who know they are sinners, and those who refuse to admit that they are. Some are so weighed down by their failures that they feel unworthy to come to Jesus. But they need to know that He came to lift up the fallen and restore the broken. Others don’t think they need forgiveness at all, and are kept away by pride. But the truth is, every one of us has sinned and stands in need of a Savior. And He has promised to receive all who come to Him by faith!

