God foreknew that mankind would sin, thus separating themselves from God (Isa.59:2) God had a plan for man to be reconciled to Him. This plan focused on His son Jesus as our Redeemer. (Eph.3:11; Gal.4:4, 5)  Jesus, the only son of God was the answer to our sin problem. The blood of Jesus is the only remedy for sin.( Jn.1:29; Heb.10:4; 9:14) "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain manner of life, received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot:....” (1Pet.1:18, 19)

Mankind is Lost

     “My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting-place.” (Jere.50:6)  Mankind without Christ is lost, alienated from the life of God, having no hope, and without god in the world”. (Eph. 2; 12; 4:18)

Jesus Knew the Value of Lost Souls

     In Luke 15 Jesus tells three parables about something that was lost: A lost sheep (vv. 4-7), a lost coin (vv.8-10), and a lost son (vv.11-32). Each story reflects God’s concern for lost people, the tremendous value He places on every individual, and the great joy He feels “over one sinner who repents” (v.10).  (Life Study Bible, pp.276)   In each parable Jesus says how much joy there is when each is found .There is great joy because each is so valuable.

     Our souls are worth more than this world.  Jesus when instructing His disciples about how they were to spend their lives said this, “For what is a man profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matt16:26)
 

We Must Value Souls

     Since Jesus put that much value on souls and we are to have the mind of Christ, will we not also value lost souls?  I think we must .We love our bodies and take care of them and so we ought. (Eph. 5:29; 1Cor. 6:19, 20) As we have already seen our soul is much more valuable. Our soul will never die, but will live forever.  Jesus said “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt.10:28). When the scriptures speak of killing the soul, it is referring to the soul being cast into “a place where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched”. “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night ...” (Mk.9:44; Rev.14:11) the scriptures are replete with descriptions of this horrible place.
     
     No one would desire to go to this place or think of their friend, family members or anyone going there. Could it be that this is the problem, which we just don’t think about it at all? We are so busy, we forget the warnings and admonitions God has given us.

Cocooning

     One of the major developments in modern Western society is the phenomenon of     “cocooning”----people pulling in, living private lifestyles in which they shut out the world and its concerns. Cocooners have interest only in what touches them, and they set up their environment so that they control what touches them.
     
    Unfortunately, cocooning has subtly invaded the church, contributing to the “pulling in” of Christian faith.  It shows up, for instance, in over-emphasis on the relationship of the individual to Christ and what He can do for each person, to the neglect of what Christ wants to do among communities of His people, including their corporate responsibilities to each other and the larger society.
 
    Christ chose to get involved. He did not remain in His privileged position with the Father but “passed through the heavens” to come to earth, becoming poor in order to make us spiritually rich. We can’t imagine what that move cost Him. Christ faced reality. He is no stranger to real life.  He never walled Himself off from what people go through every day.
   
    Christ empowers people. He gives His people sufficient power to deal with life. One rationale for cocooning is the attitude, “when I’m done with work, I’m worn out. I can’t be bothered with people’s problems. I can hardly manage my own! If anything, I need to be the receiver of grace, not the dispenser of it.” Result:  the many take comfort, help, and peace from the few who give it.  (Cocooning, Life Study Bible, pp.784)

     The above statement is true. We don’t want to be involved with others. Teaching the lost just does not happen in many peoples lives.  We don’t hear much about   “personal evangelism”, or “soul winning”. Has our fire gone out? Are we too sophisticated for that type of lifestyle in the 21st century? 

We must Rescue the Perishing

    The writer of Proverbs said "He that winneth souls is wise”. (Prov.11:30) The great commission is: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be condemned” Mk. 16:15, 16) We must go preaching Jesus, for “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. (Acts 4:12)  

    The gospel has the power to save. Paul the apostle said that he was a debtor to preach the gospel to the Greeks, barbarians, the wise and the unwise. He was ready and not ashamed for: “It is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also to the Greek”. (Rom.1:16) Can we say that we have those convictions?  
 
    Paul had a “great heaviness and a continual sorrow in his heart, wishing himself accursed from Christ for his brethren, his kinsmen in the flesh”. (Rom.9:2, 3)They were unsaved. Paul had a passion for lost souls. After his conversion, he spent his time in living for Christ and teaching others about Him. (Phil.1:8-21; Col.!:28,29)  He commended those who did teach and preach the gospel. (1Thess.1:7,8)  He charged the young Timothy to “preach the word; be instant in season, and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and teaching.”  (11Tim.4:2) Those who were taught were to teach others. (11Tim.2:2) 
 
    Some express fear of trying to teach others. This will not be if we remember that , “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”. (1 Tim1:7) We can prepare ourselves and “Sanctify the Lord God in our heart: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1Pet.3:15)  The gospel will convert souls. We have to be faithful to sow the seed. The power is in the word. (Heb. 4:12)
  
    Dear Reader, let us get back to our business, the reason we are here. We are  “ A chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people for God’s own possession; that we the might show forth  the excellencies of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”. (1Pet.2:9)   Salvation from sin is a most excellent thing. It is a free gift from God. (Rom.6:23)   Let us value souls as Jesus did. Let us tell the world about Him !! 
 

   Rescue the perishing, care for the dying
   Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
   Weep o’er the erring ones, lift up the fallen, 
   Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.

   Rescue the perishing ,care for the dying
   Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

   Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
   Feelings lie buried that grace can restore:
   Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
   Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
 
   Rescue the perishing , duty demands it:
   Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide:
   Back to the narrow way patiently win them:
   Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.
 
   Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
   Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.