4 Powerful Ways To Rekindle Your Passion For the Lost

"Whatever will be, will be," the saying goes. But that’s not the Gospel. Nor is it the heart of God. Jesus described His purpose on earth by saying, “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). A sense of urgency about lostness is one of the most common characteristics we always find in Disciple Making Movement leaders.

Some time ago, I had the privilege of interviewing one of my mentors, Rev. Bill Smith. Bill has been instrumental in seeing many, many movements grow around the world. We talked about the issue of lostness.

Hearts Broken For the Lost

In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah cried out, “I am broken by the brokenness of my dear people. I mourn; horror has taken hold of me” (Jer. 8:21). The depth of brokenness he felt over the lost condition of his people so evident.

In the New Testament, we see how Jesus wept as he looked at Jerusalem, calling the people there sheep without a shepherd.

Here's an important question to sit with: Does lostness cause me to weep? Or have I become casual in my attitude toward those apart from God?

If you recognize that something is missing or has grown cold, ask God to give you His heart in a fresh way even today.

What Keeps a Sense of Urgency to Reach the Lost Burning In Our Souls?

There are a few things I'd suggest can help us in this.

1. A proper theological understanding of lostness.

The world tells us it is arrogant to think that others are lost, but we have been found. “All roads lead to God,” say Hindus or New Agers. “Do your own thing. You do you, I’ll do me,” seems to be the millennial mantra of the West.

Is it pride or intolerance to see those apart from Christ as lost? Not according to the Bible!

Christ is our example. He used the word lost, not only to describe His mission but to explain His great love for those apart from Him (see the parables in Luke 15). If Jesus called those who didn’t know Him lost, so can we.

2. Embracing compassion rather than looking at your own needs.

It can be challenging to focus on others rather than oneself. This is especially true when we are in pain. Emotional or physical suffering makes us self-centered. Part of the solution to coming out of that difficulty is to focus on others. Millions wait to hear the good news. They are our neighbors, colleagues at work. Does their lost condition stir our hearts?

3. Letting go of judgments and offense caused by unsaved people in your life.

The lost are not always nice people. Sometimes they are rude, even evil in their actions towards you. Their sin may feel offensive to you, or their behavior may cause feelings of disgust. Some years ago, I found it difficult to be around those who cross-dressed when living in Thailand. They were everywhere. I had to ask God to change my heart, to help me see them as lost lambs the shepherd is seeking after.

More recently, I was talking with a friend, a wonderful Christian woman in America. She told me about a neighbor who swears right and left, thinks all Republicans are stupid, and yet was deeply touched by the kindness of a Christian neighbor who brought her food when she was sick. My friend confessed, "It's kind of hard to love her. She's so different from what I'm used to."

Let me encourage you to repent of judgments. Ask Jesus to fill your heart with His love for those who don’t yet know Him. Don’t be like Jonah, who called down fire and brimstone and hoped God would judge his enemies. That didn’t turn out so well for him.

4. Regular prayer and intercession for those apart from Christ.

I can’t change my own heart or make it soft and compassionate. There is something I can do. I can regularly pray for those around me who don’t know Jesus. This changes me. I begin to get my Father’s heart for those I’m lifting before Him, those I’m asking Him to bless. Soon, I find my heart is feeling different toward them as well.

Would you pray this prayer with me today?

Lord Jesus, I want to love lost people the way you do. Renew my passion and sense of urgency to reach the lost. Their condition is so horrible and desperate apart from you. They are blind and don’t even know they cannot see. Renew within me a commitment to reach out to them, to push beyond their sin and offensiveness. Help me to extend my hand of love, service, and friendship. I want to be like you, and you were a friend of sinners. You went after them and sought them out. Show me how to do that today. In your name, I pray, Amen.

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