As Christians, we should carry a huge burden for our loved ones who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
However, sometimes complacency sets in and that heavy heartfelt burden fades away.
The apostle John tells us about the “big decision” each person must make in this life. He tells us about “whosoever believes” and “whosoever believeth not.”
John 3:16 KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
OR
John 3:36 KJV
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
We love to quote John 3:16 and talk about the love of God and attaining eternal life through the blood of Jesus. However, too often we stop there. We feel satisfied and secure knowing we are a child of God and our eternity is known.
Instead of feeling satisfied and secure, we must pray for God to rekindle our burden for those who are lost and facing the consequences of John 3:36.
The truth of the matter is that the news is not good for those who reject Christ and die in their sins.
This should ignite a burning desire to see our loved ones and others be saved and inherit life eternal.
We should pray daily for those who do not know Jesus. We should pray that God will continue to draw them with the Holy Spirit and that they will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
In the right circumstances, we should talk to them about salvation and the condition of their soul. However, we don’t want to push them away with unwanted preaching.
Finally, we must live and walk before them as the Christian we profess to be. This will have far more influence on them than our words.
The third chapter of John’s Gospel clearly states the consequences of how people answer the “big question.” It is the only decision we make in this life that determines our eternal home. It is the most important decision we make.
Therefore, first pray daily for your loved one’s souls. Pray for them by name and in earnest.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Then make sure your words and actions represent Jesus and His love. Nothing erects a greater barrier for the lost than hypocritical words or actions.
In representing Jesus and showing Him to others in our everyday life, we are the light of the world. As the light of the world, pray that you will be the beacon that leads them to Him.
RVH