What Does Luke 5:32 Mean?

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

Luke 5:32(NASB)

Verse of the Day

Jesus was the perfect Son of God and He came in the likeness of sinful flesh, yet without sin. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. He did not come to save righteous people for there are no righteous people, not one, for all have sinned and all have fallen short of the glory of God, and so all are sinners and all need a Saviour.

The Pharisees criticised the Lord Jesus for eating with sinners, not realising that from God's perspective there was no difference between the self-righteousness of the Jews and the unrighteousness of the publican whom they so despised, for all missed the standard of righteousness that God requires from man, and all need to repent. Repentance means to turn away from one's sins, and the act of turning from sin can only result in turning towards Christ Jesus the propitiation for our sins, our only Saviour, and the one Mediator between man and God.

However good we think we may be in comparison with other people, we are all sinners for we have fallen short of God's standard and need a Saviour. However bad we think we are in comparison to other people, Christ paid the price for all sin and for every sinner.

Every one of us is spiritually separated from the Father. Every man and woman is spiritually sick unto death, for no one is righteous in the sight of God. But praise God that Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance so that we could be made the righteousness of God, through believing IN HIM.

For it is only in Christ that we discover forgiveness. It is only in Him that we gain eternal life.

My Prayer

Loving Father, how I praise Your name for Your wonderful plan of redemption; that You looked down at the sin of humanity and sent Christ Jesus to call sinners to turn from their sins and to trust Him as their one and only Saviour, by grace through faith in Him. Thank You, in Jesus' name, AMEN.

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