Sometimes it’s so easy to get excited about loving our neighbors that we slack off on loving God, sharing the Good News, or both. It’s even easier, however, to judge. Just ask Jesus.

In the Gospels we read: “Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him.” The word “sinners” didn’t mean the same thing then that it does now. It covered an incredibly wide spectrum of people—from desperately poor prostitutes to ceremonially unclean farm hands. The Gospels make it clear that they came near Jesus, to listen to Him, frequently. Not just a rare day here or there.

So, on many occasions, religious leaders grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” What an indictment...as if this were somehow wrong or reprehensible.

Yes, it’s easy to judge. Remember the days when good Christians didn’t eat at pubs? Is it possible to take a good thing too far? Yes. Yet it can be entirely a good thing to eat, drink and be merry with our neighbors and friends. I hope you do it often. After all, one encounter with Jesus Christ is enough to change your friend, instantly, forever.

This is Luis Palau.