Mark 2:17 English Standard Version (ESV) And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark’s rendering of this saying includes an unmistakable definition of what being sick means. Matthew and Luke left out that little detail. It is a significant definition.

If you are not sick, you will not seek a physician. If you are not a sinner you will not seek salvation. Can we be sick and not know it? Sure we can. Can we be a sinner and not know it? Sure we can.

We will only seek a doctor if we think we are sick. We will only seek salvation if we need it. Knowing we are a sinner does not determine if we will seek salvation. Some relish in the idea of sin. Some do not see the need to change their sinful ways. They are good with being bad.

The first work of salvation is performed by the Holy Spirit as an external agent causing sin to be a burden to the sinner. It stops being fun. Consequences of sin start weighing heavier than the joy of sin. The sinner seeks relief, they become needy.

One of the most important aspects of evangelism is getting to know the condition of the sinner. What is going on in their life? How do they feel they are doing? Are they feeling the pangs of guilt or is the world still to blame for all their problems? Original sin blamed others and it is not until a sinner recognizes that they need to change that salvation will appear on their needs list.

Remember my salvation expression: “I don’t want to be like this.”