What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:4-7)
Jesus in this and the other parables of the lost points out the smug superiority of the scribes and Pharisees who saw themselves as better and more righteous than the publicans and sinners whom they disdained. The Lord pointed out that God cares for all and is not willing that any should perish. He rescues those who are astray, finds the lost, and welcomes the repentant sinner home. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rejoices in repentance and in those who return to Him. There is great joy from our Lord over sinners who repent.
The Lord came to seek and to save sinners, to give His life as a ransom for many, and reconcile whosoever will repent and put their trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary with the Father by faith through grace. The equipping of the saints is so that all His people, once lost themselves, will go and reach those who are still lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, teach all nations all that He has commanded, and preach His Word in season and out. The Lord calls sinners unto Himself to repent and be saved and rejoices with great joy in those who do so. God’s people cannot rest in themselves but in the Spirit and power of God are to be about our Father’s business until all who will come have entered into the Kingdom of God.
God sends those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet