The Word You Are Looking For

    Let’s face it we are living in a politically correct world.  Political correctness is seeping into every vein of our lives.  Words meanings are now not as important as their perceived meanings.  We must soften our language.  Make sure our words don’t have edges, and above all don’t offend.

    So we change how we say things.  We mask our words.  Use polite phrasing, even when it changes what we should be saying.

    For instance, think about evangelism.  Who should we be teaching?  What people need to hear about Jesus?  Now, what do we call them?   Unchurched.  Our communities.  Those without a church home.  Seekers.

    But what about lost?

    The word lost isn't that politically correct.  It comes off harsh.  It gives a negative connotation.  It is however the word Jesus used to describe those separated from God (Mat.10:6, Mat.18:11, Luke 15, Luke 19:10).  It may not be politically correct but I think it is important to remember that that those that don’t believe in Jesus are lost.

    Lost means they are not where they should be, that they don’t know the way they need to go.  Lost implies grave danger unless they are found.  In our modern terminology, Christians can unintentionally forget that fact.  We fall prey to thinking the world might just be unaware of what the church offers, not lost in the wilderness of sin.  We think about being more appealing rather than trying to save.  The Gospel loses its urgency.  The word lost makes a point in itself.

    If we are not committed to the truth that all accountable men and women are lost in sin and need God’s forgiveness, we will never be evangelist.  Think about the words of Jesus.

"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." - John 8:24

"He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” - Mark 16:16

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life .- John 5:24

    Without Jesus all are lost.  There is no other way in which the person can be saved (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).  As those commanded to taking the Gospel message we should never forget that.  You can’t go through Mohammed. You can’t go through Buddha.  You can’t go through any man or any system other than God’s system.  It’s Jesus or none.  We need to remember that people are lost; we have to go in order to save them.