~'We Seek, He Saves,' by Jim Poitras - Director of Education/AIM

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We Seek, He Saves!

The slowly revolving illuminated globe provides the backdrop as I sit at my desk, my mind restlessly spinning, and my spirit groping for direction from the Lord. I’ve been captivated today by one of the expressed purposes in the Word coming to earth, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). We serve a seeking Savior.

Going back to the basics of our very existence is the reminder that our purpose in being here is exactly the same as His purpose in coming here. We are to seek/save the lost and train/disciple the found. No greater purpose. No higher calling. Robert K. Rodenbush had it right when he wrote, “Since it is not granted us to live long on this earth, it is logical to give our best and our most to something that will last eternally…reaching sinners and training saints.”

People from all walks of life boarded the Titanic in 1912. There were millionaires, celebrities, middle income earners, and even a few poor people. A few hours after the disaster, there were only two categories: lost and saved. It all comes down to that—lost or found.

Much has been written in recent years about seeker-sensitive services. I suppose there is merit in that; designing services with the seeking sinner in mind. But, it goes much further than that. Seeker-sensitive churches ought to be churches that train and mobilize members to be seekers of sinners in our lost world. The soul-winner should be wise and sensitive. You find the lost only one way: by looking for them! We need to be seeker-sensitive Christians and ministers bringing sinners to Jesus and to the foot of the cross.

Purpose-driven churches should be Gospel-driven churches. It is the Gospel that saves lives and redirects purposes. Acts 2:38 really works if you work Acts 2:38. The purpose-driven Christian is a Gospel-driven Christian.

I love the promise expressed in “seek and to save that which WAS lost.” It is interesting to use the past tense here. We call those things that are not as if they already are (Romans 4:17). Soul-winning and soul-seeking are acts of faith. We walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). We witness by faith. God does the work as He chips away at stony hearts. We seek. He saves!

*Note! Italics, Bold, Text Color and Underlining not part of original article but has been included here for emphasis.