While salvation is a free gift, it is not without a cost. As the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, it cost Jesus everything.
There are also costs as we follow Christ. So many want to live the Christian life without any sacrificing or giving, but in saying yes to Christ, we’re saying no to what the world around us has to offer.
Similarly, we see costs associated with reaching the lost, those who have not yet recognized their need for a Savior and are still living on their own terms. If you look at Luke 15:8-10, you’ll see what I mean.
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Doesn’t she light a lamp? First, it will cost you resources to look for the lost. The text tells us that the woman lit a lamp to look for the lost coin. You may not think that’s a big deal, but remember that there were no light switches. Many homes also did not have any windows to allow natural light. The woman chose to use a very precious and expensive asset by lighting the oil. She spent her resources to look for the lost coin.
Doesn’t she sweep the house? Not only does it cost you resources but it also costs you time to look for the lost. The woman “sweep[s] the house” in her search. Whether the word sweep here literally means cleaning or if it means searching inch by inch, both reflect a labor-intensive investment of time as she seeks the prized coin. She did it without hesitation because of the value of that which was lost.
Doesn’t she search carefully? Finally, looking for the lost will cost patience and thoroughness. The woman “searched carefully until she found it.” This lady looked, searched, cleaned and looked again until she found the coin. There was an emotional investment as she did not give up after one failed try but continued because it was precious to her.
Yes, there is a price to be paid for reaching the lost. Are they worth it? Stop for a moment and think about those around you who have not made a decision for Christ. Think about your mom or dad, brother or sister, neighbor, co-worker. Tell me—are they worth it?
Of course they are! The souls of those around us are so important that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Every soul is precious and needs to hear the message of hope in Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate price for you. Ask Him to help you as you pay the cost to reach others.
