Mentoring the Lost
Is it possible to mentor the lost soul that has not had an encounter with the Lord? Absolutely! The best way to present the Gospel of Christ to anyone is to be an example of the Gospel of Christ. During the building of any friendship there is a “getting acquainted” period. This period of time is always crucial in the reference gaining trust and learning the boundaries of friendship. When Jesus was on this earth He become friends with the sinner. (Matthew 11:19) He also called His disciples friends. (John 15:13-15) The friendship of the Lord is not to be looked upon or defined as something that is passe or mediocre in application. He becomes the friend of the sinner when the reconciliation is adapted through the Blood of Christ. Friendship, in this concept becomes more apparent and not shallow when the soul surrenders to Him!
As a disciple begins to reach out to the lost there has to be a relationship started that is built on trust! Trust is not easily earned but can be easily lost. The child of God has been given an awesome responsibility to bring reconciliation to the friend which is being mentored through God’s love. (2 Corinthians 5:18) Wonderful is the knowledge and the spirit of friendship with God Almighty through Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:11) Jesus served mankind like no other! He came to this earth to bring the love of God to everyone that would accept Him as Savior and Prince of Peace. He came to give life and that life more abundantly! (John 10:10) Friendship is a great percentage of any relationship when considering if a person is approachable. In a marriage the couple should be best friends! As the person gains trust in the fulness of God’s love the relationship is founded upon a friendship! Looking through the Word one can easily notice the friendships that were formed for and by the cause of God intervention with a lost humanity. Jonathan and David had built a relationship and friendship that was based on covenant! (1 Samuel 18:1-3) This design of the Lord is also seen when we look into the Jesus relationship with mankind. Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother! (Proverbs 18:24)
Mentoring the lost is not what Christianity should stay away from but must apply themselves too; this is not an option but an absolute in evangelism. Churches today are debating over the word “Missional” and comparing it to the word “Attractional”. This is not to be debated but lived out in the community and neighborhoods not kept inside small or large buildings and arenas! Spending time figuring out what is already planned out and designed through the Word is a loss of a soul. The Pharisees and religious leaders in the day of Christ built walls around themselves and their faith keeping people outside and not bringing them inside! Friendship is a defined action which is not dormant but active in bringing people closer to the heart, especially the heart of God. Love is an action word and that certainly is what a friend should do, love! (Proverbs 17:17) The base statement made that it takes God to bring one into Christianity and it takes a Christian to take one out of Christianity. This must be changed that booth, God and the children of His Kingdom serve together to mentor and build up the relationships made.
The simplicity of mentoring is rooted in the approach and attitude of a caring heart. The classic, yet, definite scripture that is found in John 3:16-17 speaks volumes to the relational acceptance of God and man. God accepting back His creation through the suffering, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus; man accepting God on the grounds of repentance and confession of just who Jesus is! Thus a friendship is born! The beginning of that friendship originates in the heart of God and then is implanted in the heart of those reconciled. Which when viewed in its purest sense of both”Missional” and “Attractional”, the relationships begins when the person or the Church as a whole begins to mentor the lost! This mentoring process is a collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned and designed by God to achieve the particular aim of building the Kingdom! That work is called mentoring, coaching, and training. It all starts with you making a new friend who just maybe lost to God! What a great way to show friendship, caring about someone and sharing life eternal with them.
Dennis
Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.