Church is for Sinners.. I guess..

Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."


When I was younger, I would hear comments like "How can she go to church and live a sinful life?". In short, if you sin, you shouldn't go to church. If you go to church, the best Christian gesture you'll receive is a nod from the ushers.

Then what happens to what Jesus said - I have not come to call the righteous but sinners?

What else - should we avoid sinners?

Bad company corrupts - indeed, but why did Jesus hang out with all those sinners within those three years of ministry? Because He is God, he cannot be corrupted?
Then if that is the reason why He hasn't been corrupted, then why do we keep on saying that Jesus should be a model to us?

If Jesus is a model, then why shouldn't we hang around more with sinners? Because we might get corrupted? The question just goes around in circle.

Or a better interpretation should be this - be in the world, but not OF the world? I think this would be a better reconciliation of the matter.

I just don't understand some Christians who wants nothing to do/deal with non-Christians because they are sinners and might be infected with sin like AH1N1 does? Don't they need you more than people who are Christians already?

If the Old Testament dudes were in church today, how will things be for them? Most of them have wrecked marriages, drunkards, liars, and stuff. Or would you rather answer by saying that I have a wrong question?