April 2003

Seeking the Lost

By Mark J. Ward

"I lost my keys! Where did I put them?"

"We're lost, we must have missed the exit. Wanna stop and ask for help?"

Have you ever lost a personal item? I know I have. Have you ever helped someone who was lost, maybe by giving them directions to their intended destination? Have you ever been lost without even realizing it until later? I know I have!

There is a continual need for Christians to realize that each saint is to be a personal worker in "seeking the lost". Sometimes, we sing a song by that title. Are we really "seeking the lost"? Are we really "soul winners"? Please read on.

In Luke 15 there are 3 stories concerning the lost. There is the parable of the lost sheep, the story about the lost coin and the famous story about the prodigal son and his elder brother (both of whom had spiritual problems). What a wonderful chapter for us to look at and consider in this article concerning seeking the lost.

SOME ARE LOST AND DON'T KNOW IT

Like a coin.

A coin is an inanimate object, not capable of knowing it is lost or helping itself get found. There are many folks today who are SIMILAR to the lost coin. At this particular point in their life, they don't know they are lost, don't care that they are lost, don't have any feelings about it one way or the other and won't be doing anything to put themself into a situation to be found. In fact, they are presently incapable of such and must have a change of heart in order to come to God.

If we are sowing the Seed of the kingdom of God, we will be indiscriminately teaching people and asking people with whom we come in contact if they are willing to study the Bible. Be not discouraged! There will be many who say "no" and might even do so in a very negative way. Press on to sow the Seed. Just remember, some are like the lost coin AND CAN BE SAVED! We must go to them; they, like the coin are waiting to be found. You never know. Let us NOT be guilty of "prejudging the soil"!

SOME ARE LOST, KNOW IT, AND YET NEED ASSISTANCE IN BEING SAVED

Like sheep.

Sheep are unusual animals. I have spoken to brethren who tend sheep today and sheep are a type of animal that needs a lot of care and attention. Shepherds serve them well: to protect from wild animals, to discipline and correct sheep when they stray, to feed them properly and to move them from time to time when needed.

Some people today are like these sheep in this way. They are lost and they need help to find their way, for they are weak and in need of assistance! Are we there to help? Are we praying and looking for lost sheep? We should be. Beware! Be careful what you pray for! <g> God just may answer with doors of opportunity to teach the saving gospel of Christ to lost sheep.

The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 was asked, Understandest what thou readest? He answered, How can I except some man should guide me? We are to realize that it is GOD and His gospel that save, and God CHOSE the method of preaching and teaching to spread the Seed, the Word of God (Mt. 13; Lk. 8)! Are we ready? Are we able? Are we trained to teach others? Let's be ready and willing so when opportunities come (that we should be praying for daily) we can teach God's Word to the lost (Heb. 5:10ff).

OTHERS ARE LOST AND COME BACK ON THEIR OWN

Like the prodigal son.

I know of folks who were saved, that is, they became true children of God and then they fell away. The willful sin is very brazen; it hurts many: God, the angels, loving brethren and family members, as well as the person who is living in the sin. Some folks just don't seem to be able to learn from others' mistakes; its as if they have to "live it to learn it" when it comes to life's lessons...learning the hard way...from the University of Hard Knocks! The good part is, the person can repent and turn back to God at any time. God is always ready, the angels in heaven rejoice when folks repent and turn to God, and members of God's family should receive erring brethren who make things right with open hearts and arms...rejoicing (and NOT acting like the elder brother in our text in Luke 15).

SOME WHO ARE "IN THE CHURCH" ARE LOST

Some folks attend all of the services, but do not live for Christ daily. Christ said we must be willing to deny ourself, take up the cross and follow Him DAILY. True religion is not a one day a week religion! True religion includes keeping oneself unspotted from the world (See James 1:25-27). It is possible for children of God to be lost, yet appear to be faithful servants of God. Such is tragic and the devil wins again. Let us be on guard and help each other fight the devil and his crafty wiles (Eph. 6:10ff).

THE SOLUTION CHRIST GAVE US

Christians are to seek and save the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:2). What are we doing about it? There is no magic pill, no vaccination, but there is the simple, gospel of Christ that needs to be shared. Paul said in Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation unto all them that believe, unto the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father, but by (or through) Jesus Christ our Lord (John 14:6). Are we taking advantage of the saving grace that God offers us? In Titus 2:10-12, the Bible clearly teaches us that the grace of God hath appeared to us teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Have you obeyed "man’s" or "God’s" solution? Think about it. Thanks for reading. - mjw

[Editor’s Note: Please read and study your Bibles daily and seek to do only God's Will, as found in the New Testament. We hope all readers will continue to study all Bible topics with open minds, willing to conform to God's Truth. Thanks for reading! - Mark J. Ward markjward@yahoo.com ]

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com