RHAPSODY OF REALITIES THURSDAY, 5TH JANUARY.
WIN THEM BACK.
…bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found…(Luke 15:23-24).
In a church, particularly one with a large congregation, it’s possible for some members to be inconsistent in their attendance; some may even have stopped coming altogether. This may not be immediately obvious, especially if the church is always full during the services. 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.
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. One of them got missing, and he left the ninety-nine in the wilderness to search for the missing sheep. When he found it, he carried it home rejoicing, and invited his friends and neighbours to celebrate with him. Then, Jesus 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).
Jesus was preaching here to the Jews. He was talking to them about the lost. Understand that 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 inside (the church) and the one who was inside, but strayed away. Remember, Jesus was dealing with Old Testament church here; so He wasn’t referring to the lost sinners of the world. Matthew 10:5-6 says, “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
The Lord is sending you today to that brother who went back into the world or to that sister who no longer comes to church. Don’t give up on them; find them, intercede for them and win them back. When you bring them back, the Bible says there’ll be great joy in heaven. This is something you have to do.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for making me genuinely concerned about your children who have strayed from the way. My bowels of compassion are opened to intercede for them. I pray that Christ be formed in them, and that they’d be established, rooted and grounded in your love, being fully persuaded that in you alone lie their joy and total fulfilment, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study:
Ephesians 3:14-17 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Matthew 5:1-20, Genesis 12-14
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Matthew 3:1-9, Genesis 5