LET US BECOME CONCERNED

Sometimes we get the impression that ours is an age of complete unconcern. There are many selfish people in this world, but I believe that most people have a natural tendency to be concerned in times of trouble, or whenever a genuine emergency arises. Let a child become lost in the woods and the whole community joins in the search. People become genuinely concerned as night approaches, because they realize that some terrible calamity might have befallen the lost child. He might have fallen into a well; or he might die of exposure if he is not found. And think of the rejoicing if the child in found.

Yes, people are concerned when something like this happens; however, let us take the story a little further. The same little boy who was lost, the same little boy who gained the attention of the whole community in his crisis, is now grown up into a young man, and he is lost again. This time, he is not physically lost, but lost in a much worse way. He is lost in sin and doomed to a fate worse than anything he could have experienced when he was lost in the woods. The sad thing about it is that few, even his parents, seem too concerned about him now. In some instances, his parents do not realize that he is lost, but this does not change the facts! This is sad, but to make matters worse, when they realize that he is lost, they often fail to try to lead him back to the pathway of safety. Too many parents are lapsing into lethargy. The attitude seems to be that of Little Bo Peep, “Leave them alone, and they’ll come home.” But will they? In the parable of the ninety and nine, where the shepherd left the ninety and nine and went in search of the one lost sheep, (Matt.18:12,13). Jesus wanted us to see the urgency of searching for the spiritually lost and bringing them to safety. Young people need guidance. If we leave them alone and let them make their own decisions about serving God, they will likely be eternally lost. We don’t leave them alone in other areas; parents do not mind pressuring them about going to school, why not in religion? It is good to be concerned in connection with physical things, but let us also become concerned with the souls of our children—souls that might be eternally lost if we do not direct them to Christ. If we do not pressure them to serve God, others will pressure them to serve Satan. Be wise! Bring them to Christ. (Prov. 22:6).