Who will be first

The winter of 1997 found Ruth and I living on the island of Trinidad in the West Indies. I was helping the congregation build a new church building.

One of the church members who lived in the capitol city told me of a friend of his who was the pastor of a church in a rough part of the city. He told me that white folks usually don’t go there and they certainly don’t after dark. The pastor friend sent word that he would like me to come and speak to his church on a Sunday evening. I wasn’t too exited at the opportunity at first, but after several pleadings, I consented. I told him that I would come, but I would not bring Ruth and I would only come if I was escorted by some big, really big guys, since the church was about a half mile walk from the bus station.

The date was set and we arrived at the church just fine thanks to a couple of big black brothers walking by my side.

I sat near the back of the church during the worship part of the service. About 15 minutes into the service a tall beautiful black woman came in and sat beside me. After looking at her and the way she was dressed I asked the Lord, “Is she what I think she is?” He spoke to me and said, “Yes, she is a prostitute.” I thanked the Lord for sending her as I had not spoken in a meeting with a prostitute in it to my knowledge.

Eventually, it was my turn to speak and I delivered a strong message on the lack of integrity in the church and the fact that God wants to purge falsehood and phoniness from his church. The Lord must have been convicting people because I saw a lot of heads hanging down including the pastor’s.

Upon conclusion of the message the pastor asked if anyone wanted to come forward and repent of their lack of integrity. I then walked to the back of the church and was impressed to step out the side door so I could pray for those inside. I wasn’t out there but a few minutes and who should walk out the door and stand next to me but my seatmate, the prostitute.

I thanked the Lord for sending her out to me and then struck up a conversation with her. After some conversation I asked her if she was a Christian. Her answer was, “No.”

I then said to her, “Madame, you are probably the most honest person in this church tonight. She said, “Why do you say that?” I answered her, “You are one who is not pretending to be something that you are not and you know the spiritual condition of your heart.”

After explaining what it means and what it takes to be a Christian I asked her if she would like me to pray for her. She gladly consented.

I then did something that may seem strange. I took both of her hands in mine and asked the Lord to show her how much He loves her and to show His goodness and kindness to her. The Bible says in Romans 2:4 “The goodness of God leads people to repentance.” After I finished praying for her I gave her a big hug.

I believed that the Lord touched her heart because she thanked me with tears running down her cheeks.

I have a hope that one day when I get to Heaven; she will walk up to me and say, “Jim, do you remember me?” I will answer her with, “Praise the Lord, I surely do. Please tell me your story.”

One day Jesus told a bunch of church leaders who were questioning Him that the tax collectors and prostitutes would enter the Kingdom before the leaders of the church because they knew the condition of their hearts. You can read about it in Matthew 21:31.

God is looking for and reaching out to those who hearts are pure and undivided. There will be no double-minded people spending eternity with Jesus.