Bailey McBride has said: “The record is clear. When churches make saving the lost around the world a fundamental focus, they grow. When churches make brick and mortar their focus, they stagnate. When churches lose sight of God’s passion for saving the lost, they feud and eventually splinter.” I believe this to be a true statement and one worthy of our consideration. Where is our focus? Do we have a passion for saving the lost? How can we develop a passion for telling the lost about Jesus?
By increasing our love and appreciation for Almighty God. There is a reason for listing this point first. If we have a lessened amount of love for God—we will not be motivated to excel in our Christianity. Why should we love God? These are but a few reasons: (1) He gave us life. (2) He gave us families to love and care for. (3) He has blessed us with innumerable spiritual and material blessings. (4) He has given us the hope of salvation through an obedient belief in His Son. (5) He has promised a reward in heaven to those who persevere for Him on the earth. Where would we be without God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? The Bible? Fellow Christians?
By developing an intense desire to share with the world what we have in Christ. Isn’t it wonderful to be forgiven of our sins? Paul talks of the condition of those outside of Christ in Eph. 2. He said: you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Without Jesus—there is no hope! Christians have something the world does not: forgiveness of sin. The slate was wiped clean upon our baptism (Acts 22:16) and after that every time we confess our sins and ask God to forgive us (1 Jhn. 1:8-10). How wonderful this is! Those without a relationship with Jesus do not have this privilege and hope.
By doing all we can to become like Jesus. In Lk. 19:10 Jesus said, For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Paul wrote, Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. (1 Cor 11:1) There is no doubt that Paul’s mission was to teach the gospel and save souls. The mission today is no different! We must follow through now—by putting on a heart of love, compassion, tenderness, and joy! This will cause our eyes will be opened to a world full of people who need a Savior—and we will have a burning desire to help them find Him!
By remembering that our efforts will not return void—if they are of God. (Isa. 55:11) We must not allow anything to deter us from our overall mission: seeking and saving the lost! Just a little work goes so far! Let’s go to work, exercise our faith, and watch God give the increase! (2 Cor. 3:6)
Matthew Allen
mhallen@sbcglobal.net