Monday, September 24, 2007

Loving the Lost

I learned yesterday how important it is for all of us who consider themselves to be followers of Jesus to be reaching out to the lost around us no matter where we are or what we are doing. In Matthew 27:37-40, Jesus sums it all up.
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your mind'. This is the first and greatest commandment. And
the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. All the Law
and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

In our churches in America it is so easy to just wander in and wander out week by week and never reach out to those around us. But look at the second command above... if we are to truly love our neighbor (those around us in the work or social setting), shouldn't we be concerned for their eternal destiny? Remember good works doesn't cut it. They can be a 'good' person in the eyes of society and yet be heading straight down the path of eternal damnation. Do I care? I better if I truly stand on the commandments above.

God, today show me how I can reach out to someone around me. I don't want to do this under my own power though and certainly not for my own glory. I want to be obedient to You. Please open the doors and give me a gentle nudge to act... to love my neighbor as myself.