Do You Care?

We've had a special emphasis in our church over the past month and a half. During worship and Sunday school time we've focused upon salvation and reaching out to those who are lost around us.

In our particular area we can't quite claim to be Christian or probably not even the Bible belt anymore. The statistics show that at least every other person I meet as I go about my little town is lost.

Now here's the part that hit me during our last Sunday school session. Do I care?

As I'm sitting in my church surrounded by family and friends who are saved, I can say, "Of course, I care." But do my actions match that statement? Am I really reaching out to those who are lost? Or am I just satisfied to know that my little circle is saved?

When Christ gave the Great Commission, He said to make disciples of all nations. He didn't say to make sure your family and friends were taken care of and then you're done.

Jesus set the example of truly caring and having compassion for every person. He comforted and touched the leper who no one else would go near. He noticed people who weren't noticeable. He fed people He wasn't responsible for. The Bible states often that Jesus looked on people with compassion.

The ultimate way to look on others with compassion is to want to bring them to Jesus, to have an effect on their lostness.

Now back to that hard question. Do I care for lost people? If I do, I'll act in compassion. Compassion is sympathy and empathy with work clothes. In other words, it isn't enough to feel sorry for them. It isn't enough to say, "I remember. I've been where you are." Really caring is acting when we encounter a lost person.

What does this look like? This may mean I have to meet physical needs before a person is willing to listen to me. It could mean that I have to build a relationship with the person so they know I really care.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I'm beginning to care more and more. I'm asking God to show me those who need Him. I'm asking Him to let me see them as He sees them.

The Bible states that it isn't God's desire that any person die without Christ as their Savior. I am working on making that my desire as well and then to do all I can to introduce them to Christ and what a relationship with Him means.

Do you care?