Why Seek The Lost?

Often we sing in our songbooks, “Seeking the lost, yes, kindly entreating, Wanderers on the mountain astray; Come unto Me, His message repeating, Words of the Master speaking today.” Many sermons are preached urging church members to be more diligent in preaching and teaching the Gospel to those who are spiritually lost. Often the words of the Great Commission are read, but they just go in one ear and out the other.

Perhaps it would help if we asked the question: “Why seek the lost?” If Christians everywhere had a better understanding of the answer to this question, perhaps more would be actively engaged in seeking those who are lost in sin.  

Let us suggest some answers:

1) Because They Are Lost In Sin — To be lost in sin is to have eternal damnation. Paul said, "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
2) Because They Are Without Christ — True joy and happiness in life is found only in Christ. To be without Christ is to be without spiritual life (John 15:6).
3) Because Of Their Destiny — The Bible clearly shows that the destiny of the lost is hell (Matthew 25:41-46).
4) Because They Cannot Direct Their Own Steps — The lost need help to find the way. By themselves they will never find it (Jeremiah 10:23). They need someone to show them the way (Acts 8:31).
5) Because Of The Great Value Of A Soul — The most valuable thing in all the world is a soul. They are too valuable to be allowed to be lost (Matthew 16:26).
6) Because People Are Calling For Help — All over the world men and women, boys and girls are looking for spiritual guidance. Just as in Bible times, those who are seeking to obey God’s will are asking, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).
7) Because We Are Commanded To Help — The Lord’s last words before ascending into heaven were clear to all. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” (Matthew 28:19).

Beloved, let us earnestly pray to our heavenly Father that we will become more interested in seeking and saving the lost in our communities and around the world. This is God’s directive for every Christian. Let’s be found faithfully executing that directive in the command to “Go teach” so that God will reap a bountiful spiritual harvest of souls (Matthew 9:37-38; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets