Volume XXXVIII, #19: To Save a Soul You Have to Get Dirty

The Reminder

Rick Lanning
05/13/18 - The Reminder

It’s so easy to just look away. To act like I don’t see. To give “reasons” as to why it is not worth my time and energy. To tell myself, “they would never turn their life to Jesus, so don’t bother.”

I’m speaking of those we so often categorize as the “unclean” of this world. You know, sort of like the following list:

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”

That’s a black list we might call The Untouchables. Wipe the dust from my feet (Luke 10:11). Don’t cast pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). Redeem the time by looking for greener pastures and going to the “almost persuaded” (Acts 26:28). Spend my time more wisely by going only to those who are “not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34).

But in doing this you have walked right past the very people Jesus came to save. You know, like the woman taken in adultery (John 8:1-11). Like the demon man called Legion (Luke 8:30). Like the publican who would not even lift his eyes in shame (Luke 18:13). Like the chief of sinners called Paul (I Timothy 1:15). Like me.

Peter and John stopped to give the beggar at the gate more than silver or gold (Acts 3:6). They had seen Jesus stop hundreds of times to serve the untouchables (“the lame, blind, lepers, and the poor have the gospel preached to them” – Lk. 7:22). To save a soul they had learned you have to get down and dirty, for salvation is a dirty business. It might take months, even years, of investment to save a soul. But oh the joy when it is said, “and such were some of you, but now you are washed” (I Corinthians 6:11).