Time is Running Out
ICS Daily Devotions
Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV) All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Sheep are not always kept in the sheepfold because the shepherd has to bring them out to search for green pastures. Sometimes, hundreds of sheep are under the shepherd’s care, but because sheep have the habit of wandering and going astray, have a herd mentality and are extremely stubborn, not every sheep will follow the shepherd in the wide-open terrain. Some may end up falling off the cliff, wandering away, and losing their way.
Romans 5:6 (NKJV) For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
We live in a fallen world. Those who are lost are governed by their senses and will quickly succumb to the lusts of the flesh and the eyes because of their sinful nature. The good news is all ungodly people qualify to be saved. Jesus came for the sinners. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We cannot use our strength, religion, philosophy, or good works to stand right before God. This self-righteousness is like filthy rags before God. We see in all the Gospels that all sinners, whether tax collectors, adulterers, or those who have committed hideous sins, are drawn toward the graciousness of Jesus Christ. Jesus ate with the sinners, visited their homes, and spoke to them. Indeed, the law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The Good News is that Jesus died for the ungodly and sinners, and all of them qualify to be saved through Jesus. They didn’t feel that Jesus was judging them as compared to the High Priest, the scribes, and the Pharisees. The reason is that Jesus was aware of their sinfulness and came to seek and save those who were lost!
The sheep who have gone astray are unaware of the danger lurking around the corner. A predator or a cliff might suddenly take their lives. Therefore, time is of the essence because we can only preach the gospel to those who are alive and can still respond to the Good News. We should preach to them while it is day because when night falls, nobody can work. Even though God is gracious and merciful, He is also a holy, just and righteous God. Jesus is the only way back to the Heavenly Father, and those who reject Him will eventually be judged on the Great White Throne. We don’t know how much time we will get to spend with those who are lost, but we know that all of us are destined to live once and after that judgement.
Jesus urgently visited every town to preach the Kingdom of God to the lost because He was sent to save them. We also need to share the gospel with our parents, friends, colleagues, and strangers with the same urgency so that none would perish.
Sermon Series: One Soul for Christ
