Paul Merideth

 

PaulMerideth            “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)

Jesus taught in Luke 15 three parables with a common theme. He tells about a lost sheep (vs. 3-6) and the shepherd who leaves the flock to go in search of the one, a lost coin (vs. 8,9) and the woman who sweeps the house in a diligent search, and a lost son who squanders his life in wasteful living (vs. 11-24). Jesus was trying to teach the people about spiritual matters and so he used these simple stories to convey the significance of salvation. Today, we need the same lessons on evangelism and salvation. Evangelism involves sharing the soul-saving good news about Jesus Christ.

Consider these points from this parable by Jesus: First, each person matters a lot to God. Spiritually lost people stir the heart of God. We don’t meet anyone, whether on the street or in a store, who is not the object of God’s love. We need to make sure that we are genuinely concerned about the lost. Second, it warrants an all out search. The individuals in the stories went on a quest for that which was lost. Likewise, evangelism is something we should be passionate about. Each Christian should be eagerly looking for opportunities to tell about Christ and His church to others. Third, God welcomes the saved to Him. In each parable there is rejoicing and gladness when that which was lost is found. Likewise, there is a cosmic celebration when a lost sinner comes to God in submissive obedient faith (vs. 7,10).

Evangelism is a vital part of what we are to be doing as Christians and yet so often we allow fear to stifle this core ministry. We desperately need to get energized about effectively sharing the gospel. We need a fresh commitment to have the kind of compassion exemplified by God which motivates us to partner with him in seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10). Let us work to better develop the spiritual skill of speaking the gospel because evangelism matters.

 

Paul Merideth is Minister of the Watterson Trail Church of Christ, Louisville, KY.