SEEKING FOR THAT WHICH IS LOST

                                                     by Fred Newman

All of us have lost something at one time or another.  Sometimes the lost item is of little consequence so we might spend only a minute or two looking for it.  If we do not find the article then we resume our business with the assumption that we may find it later, but if not, "No big deal."  On the other hand, we will make an exhaustive search when we have lost something of great value to us.  I remember on one occasion I lost a hundred dollar bill.  For several hours, I scoured our house and car from top to bottom seeking my lost money.  The money was never found.  This caused me a great deal of anxiety because it was a substantial loss.  Jesus spoke about lost sheep and a lost coin as He addressed the scribes and Pharisees because they complained that He was receiving sinners.
   
So He spoke this parable to them, saying: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance (Luke 15:3-7 NKJV). 

"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:8-10 NKJV).

The lesson of each of these parables was to show the tremendous value that God places on one lost soul.  Jesus emphasized this point when He was scorned for going home with Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10 NKJV). Peter was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV). The value that God places upon each of us prompted Him to offer His only Son on the cross of Calvary to save mankind from their sins.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16 NKJV).

There are two very important lessons to be derived from these texts:

1] Everyone, including you, is of such value to God that He went to great lengths to make possible our salvation from sin.  God didn't just sit up in heaven and wait for us to come to Him, rather He sought us out for salvation because of the deep love that He has for each of us.  Don't allow yourself to be deceived into buying into the devil's lie, "I am of no value."  God values you enough to allow His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer unimaginable pain in order to make it possible for you to be in His presence for all eternity.

2] Christians, like God, are to place an equally high value on those who are lost in sin. True disciples of Christ will understand the value that each individual possesses, therefore will not be complacent when it comes to trying to retrieve these lost souls.  We will see beyond ethnic, educational, and social differences and recognize the intrinsic value of each soul.  An unquenchable fervor to share the gospel message of Jesus will pervade in the lives of those who understand the worth of each soul that needs to be saved.  As a disciple of Christ, are you exhibiting this same zeal in searching for those who need the saving message of the gospel?

God is lovingly seeking those who are lost.  If you are one of those whom He seeks, will you answer His call?

COULD YOU SIGN YOUR NAME TO THIS?

(Editor’s Note: This is not original with me in fact I have no idea who wrote this. But it hit a nerve when I read it. So, I wanted to share it with everyone else. All I ask is that you read it and contemplate whether you would do as the title suggests. Could you sign your name to a letter such as this, to God? Jeff.)

Dear God in Heaven,

I want to write to you and let you know why we don't attend the worship services of the church faithfully. You have chosen for your day a day that comes at the end of a hard week when we are all tired out. Also, it comes just after Saturday night and that is the night, we feel we should enjoy ourselves and take in a movie or ballgame or a party and it is usually after midnight when we get to sleep. You have chosen the very day that we need to sleep late, Too, my family demands a big Sunday dinner and when I get up so late, I can't get all this prepared and make it to Bible Study and preaching. John likes to read the Sunday sports page and the kids want to read the funnies. I mean no disrespect, but it seems to me you picked the wrong day.

Then, too, we must think of John. He works so hard all week and Sunday is about the only day he has to catch up on odd jobs around the house. I also feel that he should have one day a week to sleep, fish, golf or visit the folks. Please try to understand and don't hold this against us.

Last Sunday we meant to go to worship but had company. The Sunday before, we meant to go but it was raining. I was telling John last night that we just had to get straightened out and get back to worship or people would think we had quit. You know how people are to talk.

I wanted to tell you all these things so that you could see our viewpoint and know that it is really our fault we do not go to worship. And don't think we do not love you, dear God, for we do. We love the church too, and have been faithful members for years, and we expect to die in it and go home to glory.

Faithfully yours,

Minnie Saints

Careless City, U.S.A.