On Cells, Saints, and Sinners
September 28, 2008
Is it possible for a negative to be a positive? Let’s see. According to microbiologist Dr. Lynn Bry, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, the adult human body contains an estimated 100 trillion cells. However, only 10% of those cells actually belong to us. The rest are . . . germs. But get this — the vast majority of those germs help us. For example, most of the ninety trillion invading “dirty” cells are bacteria that live in your digestive tract and help break down food, secure nutrients, and protect you from disease-causing “bug” groups. We live in an age of antibacterial wipes and cleansers but according to Dr. Bry, “If you were to be germ-free this moment, you’d be dead within two weeks.” Incredible. What can we say to this, West Broad and friends? And how does it speak to our lives as Christians? Scripture provides an answer. According to the Bible, we are surrounded by people who neither know Jesus nor care for us (John 15:18-19). For many people of faith, these folks are germs — undesirables whom we would rather do without. Nevertheless, millions of these “undesirables” improve the world in which we live. They run our cities. They deliver our mail. They contribute to science, technology, and the arts. From a purely secular perspective, these people often make our communities better. They also give us purpose as we reach out to them with the message of Christ (Mark 16:15). So what do we see? Like the germs referenced above, “sinners” can impact the body in a positive way. As such, they are not to be avoided and scorned, but welcomed and appreciated (Luke 19:1-10). Reach out to a sinner this week. You might find that he is not the disgusting, distasteful “germ” you think he is! —JLNJR (Resource: Psychology Today, Sept./Oct. 2008, 94)
