Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to
God.
2 Corinth. 5:20
(NKJV)
Lost souls matter. This is not a political statement but rather a declaration of gospel truth. God desires that all would come to salvation; Jesus Christ died for each one. Lost souls matter to Him and should matter to us also. We are ambassadors for Christ and as such, we are to implore others to be reconciled to God by trusting in Christ. This is not just the preacher’s job or that of an evangelist but every believer should seek to point others to Christ.
The following quote is attributed to Charles Spurgeon and it describes the burden we should have for the lost:
And if we see him hugging the very
doorposts of damnation, we must go to the mercy seat
and beseech the arm of grace to pluck him
from his dangerous position.
While there is life there is hope, and
although the soul is almost smothered with despair,
we must not despair for it, but rather
arouse ourselves to awaken the Almighty arm.”
We are to have such a heart for the lost that it is as though God were pleading through us. But this kind of burden can’t be manufactured. It comes from knowing that Christ paid the penalty we deserved, that the heavy weight of sin has been lifted us from us and that we have new life. It results from knowing the truth that judgment is coming, that hell is real and that all those who die without Christ are condemned to that awful reality for all eternity.
Our own salvation should not make us self-satisfied. Instead, being born again should open our mouths in witness to the gospel of Christ. It should drive us to our knees in fervent prayer for those who are not reconciled to God and to continue interceding for them, as long as it takes. Pray for God to burden your heart for the lost and open your eyes to those in need of Jesus, then do something about it.