Listen to Nancy Fitzgerald answer this question on Moody Radio with Kelli and Steve.
“I’m lost” describes the emptiness of our souls. The Greek word for lost is apollumi, which means “dead.” A lost person has no hope for a better life. Most would describe their lives as meaningless, empty, and purposeless.
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” (Ephesians 2: 1-3).
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7: 13,14)
We are all born “lost” with a sinful nature with desires to go against God and live for ourselves. Without Christ, our destiny is eternal separation from God in a place called Hell. The good news is that we all are created in the image of God. God created all with the desire to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him. He loves all humans, no matter what sin they have committed. When we trust Christ and follow Him, He will free us from the dread of being lost.
When we put our hope in Jesus, we will have His peace and joy to guide us daily. Trusting Jesus to lead us is our only way to overcome the lies that Satan has imposed on us. The Bible tells us that We are not a mistake. We do matter to God. We do have a purpose to love God and to love others. We no longer have to live with the shame and guilt of the past because Christ wiped all that away when He died for us on the cross. Living in this world can be scary, but we know God will never abandon us because we are God’s children. His desire is for us all to live in peace and joy with Him in a scary world that offers no eternal hope.
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:9,10).
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
”But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2: 4-10)
People who are lost don’t need religion. They don’t need a list of things to do. The only person they need is the One who died for their sins and offers all who sin hope for a better life now and forever. How does God reach, mentor, and encourage the lost? God calls all Christians committed to being the hands and feet of Christ. God will be glorified when we reach out to the lost. The lost include those lost, godless people at work, at our places of recreation, and home. Where do we begin?
1. Learn the truth from the Scriptures. Become a student of the scriptures to better the foundations of the Christian faith. Be able to answer basic questions that people have about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and our purpose for living. From where did I come? Why is there such a mess in the world? What hope do I have? What is my purpose in life? What happens when I die?
“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to defend anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (! Peter 3:15).
2. Our greatest evangelistic tool is how we live our lives. Some Christians turn off many searching for answers to questions about God at work and in their families. Research says the hypocrisy of those who call themselves Christians is the number one reason that people shy away from Christianity.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules” (Matthew 15:7-9).
3. Listen to others’ stories before you blurt out your testimony. Hear what they are going through. Engage with them about your struggles and brokenness. Learn their words and use them when trying to explain something.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19)
4. Love others unconditionally. Most people have never experienced God’s unconditional love. Showing others that they matter and are loved by God is how God calls us to live.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:12-13).
5. When prompted by the Holy Spirit, lead them into a personal relationship with Christ.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)