There is an incredible difference between the lost and the saved, there is absolutely no similarity between the two whatsoever, it is as if we live on two separate planets. Those of this world, the lost, are quite at home here, and well they should be, for they know nothing else, the spiritual to them is as foreign as the furthest planet in our galaxy.
It is normal behavior for the lost to seek the pleasures that are offered here, to make plans for a long, well lived life, to self and those they love, to struggle with the burdens, cares and woes, and to have every hope that tomorrow will be better. They know for a fact, for it has been proven throughout time, that if they apply themselves, if they just pull together as a team, they can make it through anything, they can learn from the past and build for the future. Hard work and perseverance are the key, as long as they execute their required duties, the rough times can be smoothed over, the fabric of their reality can be altered through trust in self and their fellow man.
If any of that sounds like your life my friends, then it is time to sit down and re-evaluate your place in Christ, for we are not of this world, and all of its supposed rules of character traits and probability charts have no place in our lives. That is why “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God,” (1 Cor. 1:18) stands as truth, in their eyes to believe that anyone can rely on anyone else, God or not, to fulfill all the desires of a man’s life, that all cares and worries can be banished, that there is no other way but this way is foolishness to them. Self is the driving force, whether it be only for self alone or for others, what they think of themselves, how they feel about themselves is what matters, it is their only recourse of action for value in their lives. “A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.” (Prov. 18:2)
It is their own heart they seek after, their passions, their concerns, their place in the world, the only place they believe to exist, what is after this life for them is nothing more than a dream, a fanciful illusion, at best a better place, and that hope rests only in their works, and so they stay on the treadmill, ever running but going nowhere. Fools my friends walk in darkness, (Eccl. 2:14) a darkness that they will know for all eternity if they are not shown the light of Christ, if they will not come to Him in repentance, it is their natural, sinful habitation, self-will blinds a man to the truth. To call a man Raca, a worthless, useless fool is to kill him, (Matt. 5:22) and the One who sits in judgement of all men will hold anyone who does so in the highest contempt, for all men are created in the image of God. The lost are not fools my friends, they are not beneath the saved in any way, shape, or form, they are simply lost, and it is our responsibility to help them to see this fact. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
Their actions are foolish, for they have seen the invisible things of God, and have rejected them, God has put eternity in their hearts, (Eccl. 3:11) and they have desired to look no further than the horizon, they have decided to serve the creation, themselves and the world around them, instead of the Creator. (Rom. 1:25) Here is where we see the main difference between those who seek self and those who seek Christ, the view for the believer is eternal, this world is not our home, we are “strangers and pilgrims” (1 Peter 2:11) Satan has blinded them to the truth, (Luke 10:18) not so that he will have more subjects in hell, for he will reign there no more than he does here, (Rev. 20:10) he does so out of a hatred for God that we will never fully understand, out of an animosity toward the Lord that stems from him not being allowed to be as the Most High. But not all blame lies at his feet, we are responsible for our actions, and the consequences for the lost are beyond dire, they are eternal.
Do not look on them with hatred, with distaste, do not avert your eyes or your love for them, feel pity, feel great sorrow, feel hope. Their end if they die in their sins is assured, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27) I do not know if any of us can comprehend the totality of that verse, the finality of it, for to us, and indeed to all who draw breath today, there is hope, there is purpose and meaning, there will be, as much as the Lord allows, as there was yesterday, a tomorrow. Every opportunity must be afforded to them, every chance to speak to them must be taken, for soon they will know no tomorrow, only the darkness of eternal separation from all hope. “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” (Prov. 28:26)
Our hearts can and will deceive us, they can lead us astray from the path that the Lord has placed us on, only the wise will be delivered, only those who have trusted Christ as Lord can see the suffering that is approaching the lost. They must be a burden on our hearts, for one day we will be separated from them for all eternity, “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2) Continue to ask the Lord to prepare your heart to meet them, pray that in those moments He will open their ears to the truth, give them every opportunity you can afford, this life is the only time they will have the chance to heed the call of the Lord. Do not think of them as enemies, as fools, have pity on them, and ask the Lord to call them.
“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.” (Psalm 53:1) Ask the gracious Lord of all creation to make you into a preacher of foolishness in His hands to change their heart towards Him.
