2 Thessalonians 3:15
Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Have you given up on someone?

Have your friend, relative or acquaintance adapted a lifestyle you know was ungodly. What was your response? Was your first thought, it’s their life? Did you somehow eliminate your need to speak to them? Did you convince yourself you would be nosy or pushy if you spoke to them? Did wonder what happened to the joy of their salvation, their relationship with the Lord, their passion for the things of God? So many things could have happened. Here are a few so you don’t get too judgmental:

• They kept letting their schedule rule instead of making sure they did not use God’s time for something else.
• They set their heart on things that really don’t matter and the enemy lured them away.
• The trials in their life caused them to become discouraged, so they focused on those problems and took their eyes off Christ.
• They wanted prosperity and wealth. They sought after that first and not the Kingdom of heaven.
• They drift away from God because they have habitual sin in their lives that causes them to feel guilt when they show up at church, reluctant when they pray, and hypocritical when they read their Bible.

Have you ever been there? What does the Bible instruct you to do?

Galatians 6:1-2 My spiritual brothers and sisters, if one of our faithful has fallen into a trap and is snared by sin, don’t stand idle and watch his demise. Gently restore him, being careful not to step into your own snare. 2 Shoulder each other’s burdens, and then you will live as the law of the Anointed teaches us. (The Voice, TVT)

Don’t give up on them. Do battle on their behalf. Today it’s them, tomorrow it may be you. Keep their names in God’s ear. Ask Him to use you in their lives. If He gives you an open door, speak to them with love. Prepare yourself to celebrate their return. Always remember, He did not give up on you.

Luke 15:8-10 8 Jesus gave them another parable: “There once was a woman who had ten valuable silver coins. When she lost one of them, she swept her entire house, diligently searching every nook and cranny for that one lost coin. 9 When she finally found it, she gathered all her friends and neighbors for a celebration, telling them, ‘Come and celebrate with me! I had lost my precious silver coin, but now I’ve found it.’ 10 That’s the way God responds every time one lost sinner repents and turns to him. He says to all his angels, ‘Let’s have a joyous celebration, for the one who was lost, I have found!’ ” (The Passion Translation, TPT)

You may be the water that softens the ground so God can bring the increase. It doesn’t matter who they are or where they are. God’s grace and mercy can reach them.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, I don’t want to write someone off. I know I don’t have a heaven or hell to put someone in. How dare I deal with someone as if You cannot help them? Maybe they are not my assignment. I repent for giving up. You never give up. You continue to send someone to speak a word. I don’t have the right to decide if a person wants You or not. How could I know? I have often quoted the Bible, “A tree is known by the fruit that it bears.” Somehow, I thought that gave me the right to let go. I am so sorry. You are God, not me. There is nothing You can’t do. There is no one You can’t reach. You reached me. I repent. Forgive me for not living a life that fulfills Your desire that none would perish…