Purpose: Called to the Lost and Strayed

Purpose: Called to the Lost and Strayed

But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
– Matthew 15:24

Yesterday we meditated on the calling of Jesus to the Gentiles so that they could be saved and become part of the commonwealth of the redeemed. Another assignment He came to execute is seen in our reference scripture above – He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel.

The Bible already expands the descendants of Abraham to also include those who believe in Jesus (Romans 4; Galatians 3). This is referring to Christians.

But having confessed Jesus as Lord does not mean one is forever saved. The transitional nature of salvation requires that one continues to work out his/her salvation in thoughts, in speech, in attitude, in conduct, and in action. If one does not take heed to these, there is a tendency to stray from the Way.

Straying in this regard does not nullify one’s status as a believer, it only means one would not enjoy the full benefits of the redeemed. And if such a person persists in his/her waywardness, he/she would be giving satan a good ground to stake a claim for his/her soul.

It is so that this does not happen that Jesus was sent to this category of people as well – the lost sheep of Israel. Note that these are not the same people as those who have not believed and received Jesus as their Lord. The lost sheep are those who are already believers but have lost their first love, strayed from the faith or are backslidden. Jesus was sent to bring them back into the fold. Some of us are called for this same purpose too.

Are you more inclined to work on believers who are either struggling in their Christian faith, are at the brink of backsliding, or have already gone astray? That could be an indication to your calling. While no believer should neglect the universal commission to reach out to the unsaved, it is also important that those who have been saved are not lost to the wiles of satan and the pressures of life.

If you are naturally disposed to doing all you can to encourage weak, struggling or backslidden believers to remain in the faith, you are very important in the divine scheme of things, as you are partnering with Jesus to retain His flock.

You will succeed in Jesus’ Name!

Also read:

• Purpose: Called to the Outcasts
• Request for Transfer
• I Have Recently Received God’s Blessing