Part of Continuing the Reformation is Sorrow For the Lost

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Sorrow for the lost is a very difficult thing for new Christians. When Christians are delivered from a lifestyle of sin, they can expect the world to chew on them. The Christian life means it's time to say goodbye to sin and hello to righteousness. The Christian isn't saved by good works is still going to result to good works as a result of salvation. Nobody can be saved and remain the same (1 Corinthians 6:11, Philippians 2:12-13, Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:11-14). When a person becomes a Christian they are called out of this world, they are elect and they belong to God (John 15:18-19) which puts them at odds with the world because they're not of it (James 4:4).

Why is sorrow for the lost really that important? A lot of stuff that love does can be done without love for other people. It's possible to preach the truth without loving but never to love without preaching the truth. It's possible to do good deeds without love but never love without doing good deeds. Godly sorrow is not just reserved for self but also for the lost. The Christian is called not to talk about the Gospel's warning of the doom of the wicked harshly, without respect or without any concern. Instead, they are called to show love for lost sinners.

What's very difficult is to show that love. The flesh is still there and it feeds on the pride of life. It's difficult to love your enemy especially if they've persecuted you for wrong reasons, wrongfully accused you of what you didn't do, hurt you, insulted you and done all sorts of wrong against you. Yet the Bible commands in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:35 to love your enemies. It's easy to preach the truth or to declare the damnation of the wicked but not to declare it out of love for one's enemies. It's easier to think about revenge than it is to think about forgiveness. It's easier to wish your enemy dead than to wish your enemy would repent.

Thank God that He has His grace that teaches holy and righteous living. That's why the Lord's prayer includes praying God to forgive one's enemies. The Christian conduct will grow in forgiveness and this unforgiving spirit slowly dies away. What's impossible for the flesh is possible in the Holy Spirit. The changed life of the believer is by the mercy of God and not the effort of man. Perseverance in Christ is by the grace of God and not by the power of the flesh. With God's grace, one can continue having a sorrow for the lost.


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