"There are two types of people in the world. Those who divide the world up into two kinds of people and those who don't."

Interestingly, both Paul and Jesus divided people into two groups. Paul describes these groups as those who are "being saved" and those who are "perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIB), and Jesus describes them as the sheep and goats he will separate on the last day (Matthew 25:32). And in another parable, they are the wheat and the tares that are growing, in some cases side by side, so that pulling up the one might destroy the other. So Jesus said to let them grow together until the harvest. (Matthew 13:24-30)

All three of these descriptions have to do with the ultimate destiny of people's souls, and the information is confidential. So let them grow together, said Jesus—the wheat and the tares, the sheep and the goats, those who are being saved and those who are perishing. We're all in this mix together and none of us is completely certain about the outcome of the people around us. This is why you always point everyone to the truth.

So let them grow together also has an implication of close proximity. Because you never know about people, you can be hopeful about everyone. You want to treat everyone equally. As far as we are concerned, there is only one kind of person: "us." God, in his infinite wisdom and knowledge might see two, but that's not our business. We only know about one—the one God loves; the one for whom Christ died; the one he wants us to love as his representatives because it is not his desire for anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.


The Catch, © by John Fischer