Save a Soul from Death

No matter what anyone else said to Him, expected of Him, or even thought about Him, Jesus knew exactly what His mission in life was: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk. 19:10 ESV). And guess what? Us, too. If you are a Christian – if you are someone who has given your loyalty to, been united with, and are committed to following Jesus – then it’s not enough to know that was His mission. It becomes your mission (cf. Matt. 28:18-20).

A disciple is not above his teacher,” Jesus said, “but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Lk. 6:40). This means we don’t simply learn about what Jesus did: we learn to do it, too. We train to act like Jesus, to think like Jesus, and even to see the world through His eyes. That’s how He personally trained His first disciples. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest’” (Matt. 9:36-38). If you have decided to follow Jesus, then this applies to you. Stop and really see the people around you. Feel compassion for them. Pray for laborers.

Then watch how you become one. As Jesus’ half-brother James wrote, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (Jam. 5:19-20). Those are the stakes – and the opportunity. When you follow Jesus, you get to help change someone else’s life – now and forever. Jesus doesn’t just save you: He works through what you then say and do to save others, as you “honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet. 3:15).

You see, sharing our faith isn’t just some obligation, a command to be kept at least once in your life so that you can tell the Lord you did when Judgment Day comes. It is a source of incredible joy that fills every moment of our lives with purpose and meaning. That’s how Jesus lived. After a “chance” mid-day encounter with an unlikely woman by a well, He declared, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” (Jn. 4:34). And we are His followers. So, it is up to us to hear and do what He says. “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together” (Jn. 4:35-36).

Don’t miss a single opportunity to experience how wonderful the gift of our salvation really is through our lesson series “Saved”!