Eternal CPR - part 2

Colossians 4:3-6 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Cultivating is pursuing Christ-like or Christ-filled relationships with unbelievers. It involves intentionally pursuing relationships with people who don’t follow Jesus. My life should be intentionally open to those that God puts in my path who are lost.

Who is lost? Anybody who doesn’t give evidence with their life of the Lordship of Jesus gives me opportunity to help someone become a disciple. Some are “Lost Lost”. These are people who are obviously living in rebellion. They are proud of their non-religious life. They make no pretense of faith or Christian commitment. They will readily admit their lost condition. Jesus loved and engaged with “Lost Lost” all the time. He was a great friend of sinners.

Others are “Religious Lost”. They appear to have religious commitment. They might come to church or claim to be Christian, but there is not real evidence that their life goal is to imitate the life of Jesus. They have probably been baptized and may even be active in church programs, but they aren’t disciples of Jesus. They are “Religious Lost”. Though they have the appearance of being religious, as to Jesus they are lost.

One of the often overlooked keys is focusing on Christ-like and Christ-filled relationships. A disciplemaker looks for opportunities to be Jesus in the life of his friends—especially his lost friends—whether they are “Religious Lost” or “Lost Lost.” She is sensitive to the Holy Spirit as He points out needs that she can meet or pray for. A disciplemaker will love and listen and serve his lost friend just like Jesus would. A disciplemaker will watch and listen with great sensitivity and selflessness, looking for ways to demonstrate who Jesus is. To be an effective disciplemaker requires a clear understanding of the ways of Jesus and a commitment to live that out before my friends.

Who are the lost that God has brought into your life? When you listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit, what do they need right now? How would Jesus respond to them? Ask your LifeGroup to pray with you about this.