Day 10

A Heart for the Lost and Straying

12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my[a] Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:12-14

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Luke 19:10 

In his book Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ, the late Dallas Willard challenges Christians to move beyond the mere profession of belief to action when he suggests, "We believe something when we act as if it were true." This statement should challenge believers to examine their lives for an incongruence between our stated beliefs and actions.

Consider the weighty belief that those who are lost, who have not embraced Christ as Lord and Savior, face an eternity apart from God. While many Christians may affirm this truth intellectually, the troubling reality lies in the disparity between this belief and the lack of urgency in sharing the Gospel with the lost. This incongruence extends to those within our faith community who have strayed. In Matthew 18:12-14, Jesus reminds us of the relentless pursuit of the Heavenly Father for those who wander, emphasizing the rejoicing that occurs when they are restored in His presence. Believing in the profound significance of these truths necessitates a tangible demonstration through our actions. It entails becoming instruments of reconciliation, earnestly pleading for the lost to embrace the Gospel and for those who have strayed to repent.

Application: Pray that God would give us a genuine concern for those who remain in spiritual darkness in our community and throughout the world. As you approach the throne of grace, pray for a heart attuned to the plight of the lost and the straying. Ask God to utilize you as a vessel of salvation, taking His transformative love to those on the brink of spiritual death. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your steps with humility and grace as you obediently respond to His prompting.

Written By: Joe Gonzales