A man who has pressed through the darkness, suffered and struggled in grief and blindness, rejoices to the core of his being when he catches glimpses of the sun. One of the first things he wants to do is call to his loved ones, “Come over here! The sky is real! Come quickly and see!”
For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our hero and King, our brother and Savior, the aching desire in our hearts is to show him to the rest of the world, to all those others struggling through the darkness.
Some people want to find the light as well, and we get to have joyful times with them talking about the great things God has done. Others, though, don’t want to hear at all.
How do we reach these people, often our family and friends, people we care deeply about? How do we approach them?
God has already given us plenty of instruction on the matter, and we’re leaving it to Him to teach us. It’s vital that we understand the heart of God for the Lost and remember certain principles as we reach out to them. After all, these people are precious. Jesus died for them. He cares more about our loved ones than we do. He knows them more intimately than they know themselves, and only He can save them:
Matthew 18:13-14:
“And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”
2 Peter 3:9:
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
John 13:34-35:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Ephesians 4:24-25:
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”
Ephesians 4:14-15:
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Romans 14:1:
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
2 Timothy 2:15:
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Colossians 4:5-6:
“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
2 Timothy 2:23-26:
“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
2 Corinthians 4:2:
“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
Romans 14:4:
“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”
Romans 14:13:
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”
Galatians 6:1-2:
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Proverbs 25:21:
“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:”
1 Corinthians 9:19-22:
“For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
Proverbs 19:21:
“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
Psalms 27:8:
“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”
1 Corinthians 2:12-13:
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
2 Corinthians 4:4-6:
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Colossians 4:2-4:
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
Psalm 39:1-3:
“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,”
Acts 4:29-30:
“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”
Acts 4:31:
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
1 Corinthians 4:5:
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
Proverbs 25:8:
“Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.”
Proverbs 25:15:
“By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.”
Proverbs 25:17:
“Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.”
Isaiah 35:3-4:
“Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”
Hebrews 12:12-14:
“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
Sources: The Bible; http://www.khouse.org
