Stop Drawing Lines. Start Reaching People.

Live for Jesus | School of Transformation | www.liveforjesus.life

In Jesus' day, no one touched a leper. They were considered unclean, untouchable, and forgotten. But Jesus didn't step back; He reached out. 

"Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed."  Matthew 8:3 

That moment was not just shocking; it was revolutionary. The unclean did not make Jesus unclean. Instead, Jesus made the unclean clean. With that one act, He turned an entire system of religious fear, social rejection, and human shame upside down.

Today's "Lepers"

Fast forward to today. While we may not label people as "lepers," we are still quick to draw lines—especially when someone's lifestyle, politics, beliefs, or values differ from our own. We divide into tribes, cancel, unfollow, and disengage. In the midst of this, we often lose the radical love of Jesus.

In modern terms, the people we label as "leper" might be:

- The addict you don't understand

- The LGBTQ person you avoid

- The friend who walked away from faith

- The activist who mocks your beliefs

- The angry critic in your comments section

However, Jesus did not avoid people like that; He moved toward them. He dined with tax collectors, defended a prostitute, and honored outsiders. Each time, He brought truth but led with love. 

"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  

Romans 5:8

In the World, Not of It

As followers of Jesus, we are not called to conform to the world, nor are we expected to run from it. Jesus said:

"You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."  

Matthew 5:13–16

Salt preserves and light reveals; neither hides. We are called to bring the presence of God into broken places without being consumed by them. This is the tension we experience as disciples: set apart but sent in, grounded in truth but full of grace.

So how do we navigate this today?

5 New Testament Ways to Love Like Jesus in a Divided World

1. Lead with Compassion, Not Condemnation

"When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them…" Matthew 9:36 

Compassion is not agreement; it is Christlike love. Before you correct someone's worldview, ask God to help you see their heart.

2. Speak the Truth in Love

"Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ." Ephesians 4:15  

Do not dilute the truth, but do not weaponize it, either. Truth without love hardens hearts, while love without truth leads nowhere. Jesus modeled both.

3. Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."  James 1:19  

You don’t have to voice every opinion or win every argument. Listening builds trust, while humility fosters connection and pride burns bridges.

4. Remember Who the Real Enemy Is

 "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against… the spiritual forces of evil." Ephesians 6:12  

People are not your enemy; sin is, along with division and the devil. Let’s stop fighting against the lost and start fighting for them.

5. Live Like Jesus—Not Just Talk About Him

 "Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6  

Jesus didn't love from a distance; He stepped into the mess. He broke social barriers and touched the leper. If you want to live like Him, you'll need to do the same.

Loving the "Leper" Starts With Letting Jesus Touch You First

The truth is, we are all "lepers" in some way. We have all needed the touch of Jesus to be made clean. We are not better than those we are called to love; we are simply redeemed. That is why we cannot afford to live in fear, self-righteousness, or religious superiority. 

Jesus didn’t save you so you could remain safely within a Christian bubble; He saved you to send you out.

A Place to Learn to Walk This Out

At the School of Transformation, we are serious about this kind of love. We don’t want to merely believe in the teachings of Jesus; we want to live them. We train students to navigate the world without conforming to it, to love boldly, and to speak truth with compassion. 

It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it. So whether you feel called to full-time ministry or just want to learn how to love like Jesus in everyday life, this is your place. 

Visit www.liveforjesus.life to take your next step.