Tuesday, 21 March 2023
DON’T GIVE UP ON THEM
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness… (Galatians 6:1).
As Christians and soul winners, we should be concerned enough to know if anyone in our congregation has strayed away or fallen by the wayside. We’re never to give up on anyone. The Lord expects us to account for every soul.
The words of Jesus in John 17:12 should be our inspiration always in dealing with those that the Lord adds to the Church. He said, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulilled" (John 17:12). The Lord Jesus accounted for every soul that God gave Him.
Soul winning must have accountability; we have to be accountable for the souls the Lord has given to us. In Luke 15, the Lord Jesus told the parable of a shepherd with one hundred sheep who left the ninety-nine to go search for the one that got missing in the wilderness. When he found it, he carried it home rejoicing, and invited his friends and neighbours to celebrate. Then, the Master said, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" (Luke 15:7). Here, Jesus was ministering to the Jews, but He wasn’t talking about one who had never come to the Lord, but one who had strayed away.
There's a difference between the one who has never been in the church and the one who’s been in church but strayed away. We must go after them to win them back. So, today, call or visit that brother, sister, or family that you know hasn’t been coming to church. Share the love of Christ with them and keep interceding for them. When you win them back, the Bible says there’ll be great joy in heaven. Hallelujah!
PRAYER: Lord, I pray that your grace and mercy locate everyone who’s been in the Church, but for some reason has strayed away. May their love for you be rekindled, birthing a fresh appetite for your Word and the things of the Spirit. I pray that as Christ is formed in them, they’d be deeply rooted and grounded in faith and in your love, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 3:14-19; Galatians 6:1; Luke 15:8-11
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 4:1-13 & Deuteronomy 18-21
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 24:34-44 & Exodus 30