Forgiveness part 2:

Yes there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that has repented than over ninety nine just persons who need no repentance. Jesus said that in Luke 15:7. And yet we spend more effort and more time, yes more of our resources pampering the ninety and nine. And if the lost sheep(that one lost sheep) happens to wander in to our sheepfold we pay little or no attention to it.

I was given some statistics from a missionary friend we met in Spain recently who along with another friend there whom Judy and I have known and loved for many years( he happens to be a pastor) and they have come together to encourage Christians in Morocco and Tunisia. It won’t hurt to tell you that these two countries within the 10-40 window have very low statistics when it comes to true Christians. For example Morocco has app. 30 million people and 2000 Christians. The story gets worse in Tunisia…200 out of 9 million and in one small city…..3 known Christians. (that’s in Morroco) But where are the ninety nine? In the sheep fold enjoying praise and worship and a time of praise and worship is proper and good and right but at the same time let’s not forget the lost. Now make no mistake ; the ratio today in these countries of the so-called 10-40 window the figures are reversed; there are not ninety nine percent in the fold. In fact there is much less than one per cent in the fold. No wonder Jesus said in John 14:12, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” By the sheer force of numbers that task is much greater than in Jesus’ time here on earth.

In our own province we are attending to the ninety and nine but what about the lost one? That one that is, “ out on the fields alone far off from the gates of home”, the old song goes.

There is a wonderful ministry in place for women who need restoring called Samaria house. It is an excellent facility already in place, but there is a severe lacking of funds and laborers also. This place is a haven for women who have lost their way and need attention from Christian women. A wonderful place of restoration.

It is important to feed the “ninety and nine” but let’s remember the words of Jesus quoted earlier in this blog “ I say to you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than ninety nine just persons who need no repentance.” Something to think about isn’t it? Only God knows the magnitude of the task and only through prayer and strong crying out to God can there be an answer. God still answers prayer. The Pharisees of Jesus day were the “religious right”, the self proclaimed “moral majority” and they accused Jesus of being a friend of sinners. And they were right. He was and still is a friend of sinners. Could we be accused of that today?