March 20, 2012 | Leave a comment Today, Tuesday March 20, 2012, is the twenty-fifth day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off” apathy for the lost and “put on” compassion for the lost. If the goal of the Christian life is to be like Christ then we should do everything we can to imitate Him. While on the earth the Bible records that Jesus was moved with compassion for the hungry (Mt. 15:32), those in need of healing (Mt 20:34), those in need of spiritual leadership (Mk 6:34), and the lost (Mt. 9:36-38). If Jesus’ values are such that these causes moved Him while He lived on the earth, and I am a Christian who truly desires to become like Christ, then His values should become my values. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:36–38 (ESV) If I am able to genuinely pray for the Lord of the harvest to send harvesters into the harvest field, then I also need to be willing to become one of the laborers which the Lord will send in response to my prayers and the prayers of others. Of all the needs which mankind has, salvation is the greatest need! If I am going to prioritize my values based on what are Jesus’ values then I will value the shepherdless crowds who are harassed and helpless and have compassion for them. For some reason too many Christians do not prioritize their values by Christ’s values. Many Christians try to make numerous excuses for not sharing their faith with others, but the bottom line for our disobedience is a lack of compassion (like Jesus has) for the lost. I really need to “put off” apathy for the lost and “put on” compassion for the lost. If you are unmoved by compassion to share your faith with the lost then would you be interested in following Christ’s example for you own self interest. You and I must acknowledge Christ among men if we want to be acknowledged by Christ before His Father in heaven. You and I really need to “put off” apathy for the lost and “put on” compassion for the lost. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32–33 (ESV) Another common excuse people make for not sharing their faith in Christ with others is their inability. Such a view, however, illustrates either a misunderstanding of the Scriptures or disbelief in them. The book of Acts clearly states that 8 . . . you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV) According to the Scriptures, Christ’s followers will be His witnesses and Christ’s followers will also receive power to be His witnesses from the Holy Spirit. Apathy for the lost is either due to a lack of compassion or disbelief. Therefore I need,, and perhaps you also need, to “put off” apathy for the lost and “put on” compassion for the lost.