'People Like Him'

For years I worked for a prison ministry, training Christians to share God’s love with inmates. I also spoke to secular groups about problems that prisoners face.

During those years, a man was arrested in my home town and convicted of grisly crimes, including the murders of 15 young men. For months the sensational story with its shocking details made headlines. People often approached me after my presentations, mentioned this man, and said, ‘You don’t have anything to do with people like him, do you?’ Their tone implied that, while sharing God’s love with some prisoners might be acceptable, there was a degree of evil beyond which even God should not intervene. I was saddened that it was not only at secular gatherings that I encountered this attitude; sometimes I heard it in churches too.

Too often we are quick to rank sins, forgetting that everyone sins and that all sin is abhorrent to God. We seem unable—or, worse, unwilling—to believe that the blood of Christ can cleanse any repentant person from any sin. As forgiven people, we should be eager to share God’s grace with everyone.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to forgive, even as you have forgiven us. Amen