Do we really believe that a life can be saved?

1I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers (Romans 9:1-3)

It just amazes me that Paul could say that with such boldness and conviction. Paul, before he became a Christian, was a Jew and he persecuted and killed many Christians. When he met Jesus on the road to Damascus he was transformed and went on to preach the gospel, plant churches, and write a majority of the New Testament. With an attitude like what we see in Romans 9, it’s no wonder he did so many great things. He believed in the death and resurrection of Christ so fervently, and the implications of that belief, that he was willing to be cutoff form Christ for the sake of his brothers. I think if we had the same attitude about the lost as Paul did, our approach to evangelism would change.

God also has a heart for the lost and cares for them.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:1-7)

Jesus also tells us that the fields are ripe for harvest!

34Jesus said, "The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. 35As you look around right now, wouldn't you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I'm telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what's right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It's harvest time! (John 4:34-35)

Too many times, non-Christians are met with criticism and condemnation instead of acceptance and love. What reasons do non-christians have to not participate in the sinful things of this world? Why do we expect them to live up to the same standards we try to live up to? We expect people to clean themselves up before coming to church. That is so backwards to what is found biblically. We can’t clean ourselves up; we need Jesus to do that. Let’s be honest with ourselves at this point. In the church, how much effort do we put into the task of going out and looking for the lost? If we don’t lift a finger, then we are fooling ourselves and we don’t have a loving concern in our hearts for them.

We have a great responsibility to share the gospel with everyone. Sadly, not everyone will become a Christian. Think about your life and your relationship to God. Do you think you have any more right to receive God’s grace than anyone else? I thought about this the other day. Am I wasting the chance that God gave me? Since not everyone will be saved, would it have been better if someone who might have been the next Billy Graham be saved in my place (this is all hypothetical and just something to ponder on). God has plans to use all of us to spread His message of salvation, don’t waste this awesome opportunity to make an eternal difference in the life of someone who has the same right as you to hear and believe the gospel.

Lets take the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15). Aren’t we sometimes like the son who stayed at home and resented the attention that the father gave to the prodigal son? Sometimes we get the attitude that church is just for believers. We are comfortable with how it is, and wonder why we have to go through the trouble of evangelism. Those people can make their own choices, why should we worry about them? We may think we have a concern for the lost, but this parable really questions that concern and our relationship with God also. I think Jesus warns us that there are people lost to God outside the church, and people lost to God inside the church!

35Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. 36When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. 37"What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! 38On your knees and pray for harvest hands!" (Matt 9:36-38)

It all begins with our attitude or heart. Is your attitude for the lost one that would chose to be cutoff from Christ for the sake of others, or one that selfishly refuses to share the gift of life that has been give to you? Ask God to fill your heart with His love for the lost.

Leighton Ford said that “Evangelistic concern is born when, like Jesus, we walk with God among people. Break either of those contacts and we grow cold.”