Do You Love the Lost?

Do you love the lost? Christians would resoundingly answer yes. When we consider the reason we love the lost it is more than an affection toward our fellow man. There is a greater reason, we know how to love because of Christ’s love for us. It is without question that God loved the world enough to offer up His only begotten son (John 3:16). This is truly a remarkable gift because Christ came to die for even His enemies.

But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through him.

Romans 5:8-9

To understand this love for the lost we espouse, we must consider the example of that love in our Savior Christ Jesus.

            The rich young ruler is a quintessential account of Jesus’ love for the lost. It is strange when we consider it as an example of love because the result is not what we would hope for regarding the young man's willingness to follow Jesus. However, it does teach us more about what it is to love someone.

The Young Man Sought Jesus

            The man was seeking Jesus. He was seeking after Him so much that he ran to Him and kneeled to Him. There was something urgent that he wanted to ask Jesus, but what was so important?

And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother.

Mark 10:17-19

His greeting was full of respect and reverence for Jesus. He noted him as a Good Teacher and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. We have to respect the hurriedness this man displayed in getting to Jesus, his respectful address, and the noble question that he asked the Lord all are worth noting. He asked the most important question that man asks.

            Jesus responded to him first with a deeper truth. The man had to think about something. He called Jesus, “good.” Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good if none is good but God?” Jesus is making the man think about what he is asking and whom he is asking. Jesus then proceeded to answer the man and referred to the commandments characterized under the Mosaic law. At face value when you look at the Law, it certainly gave the blueprint of faithfulness in that particular time in history.

Jesus Loved the Young Man

Have you ever had to point out something to someone that maybe they were not quite ready to hear? Jesus spent His entire ministry doing this to many people and this occasion was no different.

And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth. And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me

(Mark 10:20-21)

The young man was evidently living a moral life. He had been sure to keep the commandments. So this was surely enough, right?

            The text tells us that Jesus looked at the man and loved him. Recognize that everything that Jesus will tell this man is connected to the fact that He loved him. He loved him and said unto him the thing that he needed to hear. Jesus knows the hearts of men, which was repeatedly mentioned throughout His ministry. He perceived the thoughts of His opponents and even knew the marital history of the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus knew that while this man had “kept” the commands, there was something that was lacking in his life.

            Then Jesus told him in order to receive the one thing he lacked would require him to give up his material wealth, sell it, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Him. Let’s correct some misapplications of this text. First, this does not teach that all Christians must give up all their possessions to follow Jesus. I often joke that I wonder why no one wants to be saved like the rich young rulers since so many people claim they want to be saved like the thief on the cross. We understand that this was related to something with which this man struggled. What Jesus was teaching to this man was evident in his reaction to what Jesus told him he needed to do to inherit eternal life.

The Young Man Loved Wealth More

            What a sad thing it is when people will not heed God’s Word. This young man had a good attitude and was living a good and moral life, but when it was pointed out to him by Jesus that he was still lacking, his result was heartbreaking. ”But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions” (Mark 10:22).This young man showed the anguish he felt when he heard Jesus’ words. He went away in sorrow because of his great wealth. Jesus loved him, so He told him what he was lacking. This man asked an honest question and was given the most honest answer; why would he not accept the wisdom and direction of the Good Teacher, of God in the flesh?

            Over the years in Bible studies and in the church in general, many preachers, teachers, and elders have loved the lost like Jesus. They have received Bible questions and given Bible answers. Yet some prospects, and even some brethren, when the doctrine of Christ has conflicted with their sensibilities have rejected the Gospel while others have departed from the faith they once held so dear.

Should we stop loving the lost like Jesus? Absolutely not! We (all of the members of a congregation) must love the lost like Jesus. This means when immorality raises its head in the life of our friends or family members we love them like Jesus and point out what they are lacking so that they might inherit eternal life. Would you not want someone to do the same for you? Love God and love your neighbor.

Grace and Peace, 

R.D. Beavers