The Perishing

Are there people in your life who don't know Jesus? Who put Him off in favor of living their own lifestyle? We need to pray for them boldly, as we see the day of our Lord quickly approaching.

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Perishing . . .

God has given us a sign here, an indicator for us to observe fruit in others regarding their faith, or in this case, their lack of faith.

Of course, we cannot know what is truly in someone's heart, but we can see their "fruit."

"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." - Matthew 7:16-19

Jesus was talking about false teachers here, but the same fruit inspection concept applies to ALL people. Scripture even supplies us with a fruit inspection guide.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

So, we can know who these people in our lives are by observing their fruit. Next, we must pray for them and talk to them lovingly about the lifestyle they have chosen. Which is really no life at all. It is a death sentence - "cut down and thrown into the fire" as Jesus calls it.

The first thing I would do is ask to meet with them - one-on-one. Then, ask them straight out, "So, what do you think about Jesus? I mean, who is He in your life?"

Their answer should clarify things. It will be the starting point.

It may be they have a different idea about who Jesus is. A warm and fuzzy Jesus perhaps rather than the one  who brings division and a sword.

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." - Matthew 10:34

If a blind person was waiting to get on a train and you saw them standing a bit to close to the track, would you say anything to them before the train came? Of course you would.

Jesus is the train. It's time to get onboard.

"There is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!" - Luke 15:7

People Get Ready - Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck