Doing what Jesus would do. hanging with Marilyn Manson

In a resent interview Newsboys' guitarist Paul Colman was asked which mainstream artist he would like to tour with, he answered Marilyn Manson, not the answer the typical Christian would have expected, or an acceptable answer the American Church would want from a Christina artist.

But he had it right, that is an answer that every Christ-Like person should both expected and applauded, Paul has it right, that is the typical answer Jesus would have given. Because He hung out with the worst of the sinners. That is who He came to reach, every Christ-Like person should want access to people like Marilyn Manson and his followers, the chance to take the light of hope into their world of darkness. To expose them to the gospel and person of Jesus Christ, take the Kingdom of God near them to see and touch and experience in real time, real life, Jesus and the Gospel in us lived out before them, experience the love, mercy and forgiveness of God. To take God’s reconciliation and restoration to them in a tangible way, a real person transformed by the Gospel, love, forgiveness and mercy of God.

Paul Colman has it right, going to and being among the sinners is where we should live, be found daily, hanging out with prostitutes, drug uses and dealers, thieves, hanging out in the pubs having a beer with the prodigals, with the downtrodden, the oppressed and the outcast, taking the gospel, the light into the darkest of places.

That is doing what Jesus would do.