Mission to Offenders, Saving from Darkness

The apostle Paul was not a good man before his conversion.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1 Ti 1:15 NIV

It pained Paul to think of his crimes before his conversion when he had Christians murdered.

There was a chaplain in the American army after the war who spoke good German. He was given an unwanted assignment. He was to serve as chaplain to the worst Nazis in Nuremberg.

Some just wanted to stay bad. Hermann Göring did not want to stand trial. He committed suicide with a vial of poison.

But some criminals were different. Hitler's foreign minister, Von Ribbentrop, was executed, but before he died he begged his wife to bring up their children as Christians.

Jesus taught us to love our enemies. We never know who will be converted.
But be careful. Wolves are dangerous.

A convicted sex offender visited a church. A good Christian woman gave him shelter, and the pastor wanted to help him.

One night a young woman in the church went missing. In fact, the man had taken her away, but she was found and rescued.

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Mt 10:16 NIV

It is not always easy to love the predators and at the same time protect our wives and children. We must not allow potential victims to be unprotected.

They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 2 Ti 3:6 NIV
 
But God's saving love requires us to reach out to people in bad places.

A small group of Christian women visited brothels. They were not aggressive evangelists. They were simply friendly.

One prostitute wanted to attend a meeting. In the middle of the service, she stood up and shouted loudly.

Now I believe in Jesus! Now I want to be baptised!