How do we reach the lost surrounded by the world and the sin it harbors? The word of God says…have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:11 (NIV)In order to reach the lost we often do need to go where they are. We are not called to hide away in a monastery; we have to live in the world, but not be of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17:15 (NIV)
How do maintain our integrity and reach the lost around us?
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Focus on Him and you’ll hear his voice. He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us.
Focus on what you know is truth, good and light. Stay there and you won’t find yourself in darkness.
Look in the mirror of God’s word often and write it on your heart. Is my walk distinct and different from the world – yet not proud or arrogant? Am I upright yet approachable? Am I walking by the spirit or the flesh?
Guard your mind and your heart. No matter what we call it, if it smells like a rotten onion it’s a rotten onion. Sin is sin no matter what the motivation is to do it. And sin unrepented will take us into a deep dark corner and culture nothing but deadly mold.
Repent when you do fall. When we start looking, acting, thinking more like the world than the world looks like us, it is time to repent! We all have sinned. We all will sin. But don’t stay there. People are watching to see what you do when you mess up.
Love your neighbor as yourself. We do not have to sin to be approachable. Pray for compassion for those we think are unlovable. Don’t walk on the other side of the street and leave them untouched by the light inside you.
Call sin, sin. It is not the same as condemning or judging. God clearly calls some things sin. He tells us…if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.Galations 6:1(NIV)
Is the soldier who tells the guy next to him the enemy has a target painted on his back condemning? Or is letting him stand there and take the hit condemning him?
We should say to one another “we got your back”. “I’ll let you know if you’re standing close to a land mine so you don’t blow yourself up.”
Don’t sit in silence in the name of “acceptance” or tolerance and watch someone go down in the fight. Offer a hand out of the pit, grace to overcome and love to stand on when all is said and done.
I cannot judge a person’s heart. But I can say “here is a mirror, I think you better look because you have spinach between your teeth.”
I can be the bartender that takes away you’re your keys because I don’t want you to drink and drive.
I can be the one who yanks you back from the brink of alcoholism, drug abuse or sexual addiction.
This is not condemning someone. Condemnation pushes them over the edge and declares to the world they are not worth saving.
God…is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. II Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Let’s extend the day of grace to those around us. Live in the world, but not of it, so that they may see the light that guides them to the savior.
Are you living a witness that shines light on the path to our savior?
Powerful!