The theme scripture for the General ABM this year is Matthew 18:14, "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." As I have prayed and thought about this year’s theme, I keep going back to what Jesus said in Luke chapter 15, "And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" (vv. 3-7).
The United States Army has a military Soldier’s Creed. In that creed, there is a statement that says, "I will never leave a fallen comrade." It is taught to every United States soldier from the beginning of their service time in basic training. This is not just taught, it is drilled into them. It is ingrained into them. This is not a request or a suggestion. There will be NO soldier left behind. No matter what it takes! The United States Army Ranger statement goes even further. It says "I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy."
How about you? Has it been ingrained in you that there will be no soul left behind in The Church of God? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that no soul is left behind? Are you willing to leave a fallen comrade in the hands of the enemy of their soul? Do you feel a commitment and a burden for those who are lost or those who are struggling? Jesus taught and understood "Leave no man behind" long before the United States Army did.
Keeping the found—I want to have the same commitment and burden for those who are found so that they will never be lost. At any given time, we have members who are struggling and on the brink of dying spiritually to become another one of the lost. Are we praying for discernment to know and see those who are dying before our very eyes? Do we care? The enemy of our souls has a tactic he has used for years and unfortunately he has been successful with it. It is very simple—divide and conquer.
If a tiger fights a lion, the tiger will win every time. If 10 tigers fight 10 lions, the lions will win every time. WHY? Because tigers fight as individuals and lions will battle together as a pride. How are you fighting? Are you fighting as an individual with individual goals and selfish ambitions, or as the lions—together? Satan wants to divide and conquer us. Can you think of someone who is lost? It didn’t take very long, did it? Now, can you think of someone who is "found" but is in current danger of being lost? We are in a war!
During the 50th anniversary of D-Day in 1994, one documentary featured a very unique sequence of interviews. The commentators spoke with two men who were a part of the Normandy Invasion in 1944. One was a soldier who fought on the ground. Reflecting back on that time he said, "I was convinced there was no way we could possibly win." The other interview involved a pilot who saw things much differently from his vantage point in the air. He said, "I was convinced there was no way we could possibly lose." It is very easy for us to become discouraged and tempted. We have a limited perception.
We need each other, and we need to fight as the lions fight—together. It is time to stop allowing our enemy to divide and conquer. "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34, 35). Will we win the lost and keep the found, doing ALL that is necessary to accomplish that?
I was thinking about what happens when a soldier falls into the hands of the enemy. I have a husband and 3 sons who have served in the United States Army. This has been a very real question and concern for me. What happens when someone is lost or taken? There is a group called SAR. Search and Rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. There are military Search and Rescue teams as well as civilian teams. There are also spiritual Search and Rescue teams. "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:19, 20).
Are you part of God’s Search and Rescue Team? It’s always an anxious moment, especially for families and friends, when someone is reported missing. Whether it’s a loved soldier or someone lost in the wilderness while hiking, Search and Rescue Teams spring into action. We wait expectantly for any word of locating the missing person. It’s a moment of great joy if they find the person alive and well, but a time of great sorrow when they’re too late.
Are YOU a member of God’s Search and Rescue Team? It is sad to know that many never respond to the call to go out into the storm and look for the lost. I am afraid that many are not concerned if a soul is left behind. Can you imagine being lost in the woods or in some desolate place, but no one came looking for you? When you finally find your way out to civilization, you will ask why no one came looking.
One member of the Search and Rescue Team may say, "It was really cold and stormy outside and there was a really good show on TV. So I just prayed for you to be okay." Another Team member may say, "I wanted to be sensitive to your feelings. I thought you might be embarrassed if we came looking for you." Another may say, "I wasn’t sure you were really lost. I thought it would be judgmental of me to imply that you actually were lost. Besides, it would be arrogant of me to say that I’m not lost. After all, we all have our own paths on the journey." That’s not the kind of Search and Rescue Team I would want if I were lost! If we are going to ensure that no soul is left behind, we must be the kind of Search and Rescue Team that will love souls enough to do whatever it takes!
No soul left behind! Winning the lost and keeping the found!
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