By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Isaiah 40:6-8 (AMPC)
“A voice says, Cry [prophesy]! And I said, What shall I cry? [The voice answered, Proclaim:] All flesh is as frail as grass, and all that makes it attractive [its kindness, its goodwill, its mercy from God, its glory and comeliness, however good] is transitory, like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely [all] the people are like grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
When you think about someone who is lost, what comes to mind? Usually we think of someone who has found themselves in an area or place that they are unfamiliar with and/or someplace where they cannot find their way back to a known location. They are lost! In the biblical sense, it’s not much different; a person could have wandered off “the” known path, or never knew that such a path existed. They are lost! Lost things and lost people must be saved.
The concept of saving usually makes us think of a coordinated and relentless rescue mission where groups of people fan out to find someone who is lost or missing. When that person is found, they are saved by plucking or guiding them out of the unknown and bought back to known territory.
Again, in biblical terms, it’s not much different; a search takes place in order to find someone who has lost their spiritual way and are bought back to “the” way. (Before followers of Christ were called Christians, they were called “followers of the way [Acts 22:4]). The challenge facing the church today is developing the search team to go out and find those who are lost.
Isaiah writes in the 40th chapter that we are not only to search, but we are to search with a bold, fearless, committed and compassionate effort. We are encouraged to cry aloud, to prophesy and to tell the people that life is short and will quickly fade away. And with it all of its attractiveness; its kindness; its goodwill; its mercy from God; its glory; and its comeliness. It is all transitory.
Like the flowers of the field that bloom then fades, life is short. It’s like a vapor. We are to let them know that we are here today and gone today, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Those of us who are believers are to take this assignment seriously …, so seriously, in fact, that we are to be active seekers of the lost, not just do the act of finding the lost. There is difference. The act of searching is episodic but being a seeker is a way of life. In the book, Soul-Winning Course, (McBeth Corporation, Chambersburg, PA), the author says, “It is becoming increasingly evident that the church must go where the people are with its message, rather than wait behind its secluded doors for people to seek its Gospel.” We should be seeking them, not the other way around.
There are many ways to be on the search team; witnessing, praying, preparation, outreach or follow-up. All are vital to the team. If you show some signs that you want to find the lost, those who are lost will give a sign that they want to be saved. We are to answer the call to spread good tidings, believing that God will confirm His word through us. How would you like it if you were lost and nobody was looking or you?
Be Blessed +++
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial &. Strategic Consulting, and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio, Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen by phone” at 626-226-1448. Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on Facebook and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The Book at Book Blues.
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