The parable of the lost sheep holds important lessons in true compassion, mercy and love. It can also serve as a reminder to each of us not to become wayward, and if we have, to turn back. All of us have strayed at times and are in constant danger of straying. We can often be tempted to rationalize sin ourselves yet turn our backs on a brother who struggles with certain sins that offend us. But we must ask sincerely and prayerfully: What does God expect from me? Are there parts of my life that I’m keeping separate from God’s perfecting influence? Can a brother or sister who struggles with sins that hurt others still be precious to God? Could God have placed him or her in my life so that I could help and encourage them to overcome?

A Little Sin

How do we recognize if we are becoming lost, lukewarm or callous to sin? Often we have a false sense of security, when things look okay and feel okay in our lives (1 Corinthians 10:12). We get comfortable with our so-called “little sins,” maybe even ignoring them or purposefully not thinking too much about them. But there is no “little sin.” “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

All of us at times refuse to follow His will in certain areas of our lives. We can put off the work of overcoming a weakness because it seems like a little sin that we can afford to live with. There is no more dangerous an attitude for a Christian to have. It is at once a willful turning from God and a turning to Satan’s ever present invitation to instant gratification. Any who believe themselves strong enough to indulge in a little sin without being in real danger should understand that this is a very arrogant attitude that can lead to disaster. “For if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3).

Separation From Our Shepherd

All of us are at risk, and the more deeply we understand this, the more focused we should become on obedience and honoring God above all else. But some will resist: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

When we sin (no matter how seemingly small or justified), we distance ourselves from the safety and protection of our Shepherd—the One who loves us so deeply that He gave up His glory and place of honor to be humiliated, tortured and put to death for us. He did not endure such agony so we could live a comfortable and satisfying physical life, doing as we please with our lives while awaiting His return. No, He risked everything and suffered unimaginably for the hope that we who have been chosen since the foundation of the world would respond to Him in kind, willing to give up everything for Him as He did for us (Romans 12:1).

In return, He is offering the most incredible opportunity to become children of God. He is offering us the opportunity to join Him and the Father in bringing about salvation, peace and healing for all mankind. Can we respectfully give anything less than everything we’ve got? We cannot. We give all, or we give nothing. Revelation 3:16 reminds us that there is a terrible consequence for not giving our all: “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

We must work hard at submitting to God’s will every day of our lives. Satan our adversary, tempter, accuser and stumbling block is keenly aware and focused on our every move. We dare not underestimate his wit and determination.

Seeking Whom He May Devour

This roaring lion—our adversary who waits just outside the fold—watches for opportunities to draw away the weak, “seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Satan wants nothing more than to destroy the future family of God. Not only can we resist him with God’s help, we can have a serious impact on the eternal life of another individual: “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

Satan places temptations and distractions all along our path to draw us along like a little child catching fireflies, thinking “just one more, just one more; I’m okay, I can still get back.” All the while we are being enticed further and further from home into the darkness where the evil one lies in wait. James warned us that “each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14).

When we yield to Satan, it often seems innocent. A small compromise here, a bigger one there. Compromises we know Jesus wouldn’t make Himself, but after all, who can really live like He did? There is serious danger in approaching obedience in this cavalier way. When we accept attitudes and behaviors into our lives that we know oppose God and His way, then we have chosen evil over God. If we persist in willfully compromising the way that God has shown us, we “trample the Son of God under foot . . . ” (Hebrews 10:26-29). We begin to go into darkness, replacing God’s voice and truth with the voice and lies of the evil one. So then we choose, one compromise at a time, to become deceived.

Fearing God and Letting Go

Our compromise with evil will always put distance between us and God, but it often causes others to stumble as well. This can lead to broken relationships in marriages, friendships, families and congregations. When there is division among God’s people, Satan is present, and we have invited him in. We have a grave responsibility to stay pure in our hearts and never compromise with the evil one, not only for ourselves but for all of God’s people now and in the future.

As we practice overcoming and become more focused on this great mission in our lives, we begin to more deeply understand and take to heart the meaning of Proverbs 8:13: “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.”

We can overcome Satan’s influence only if we fully submit our lives to God day after day, no matter how impossible that seems. Often it requires letting go of the very things, habits or people we believe we cannot let go of. Of the billions of human beings on earth, God has called very few at this time to be fellow workers in a great and awe-inspiring plan. Yet many, maybe most, of those called to this most undeserved honor fail to treat it with proper reverence. In fact many of us at times take it woefully for granted. If we find ourselves distracted and overly involved with the cares of this physical life, we must wake up, be sober, and go back to the safety of the light. We must commit ourselves again—or maybe for the first time—with allof our hearts to giving God everything we’ve got, no matter what comes, and no matter the sacrifice required. There is no other way for a true follower of God to live.

Applying the Golden Rule: Forgiving the Worst

In His famous sermon on the mount, Jesus gave His followers the ultimate instruction in dealing with our fellow man: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). When it comes to our brothers and sisters in Christ, how do we apply this principle?

There are poignant biblical examples we can learn from, such as David in the case of his premeditated murder of Uriah and Saul who became the apostle Paul. David betrayed his most trusted soldier, Uriah, to the point of adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11-12), and Saul breathed murderous threats against God’s people, putting them in prison or killing them for their faith (Acts 8:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:9). Had we been living in those times, it’s easy to imagine we might have judged these men were not of God, and could have felt justified in turning our backs on them. But they each went on to become powerful examples of true repentance, faith and submission to God’s will. Could we have forgiven them if we were Uriah’s relatives? Or family members of those faithful servants of God who were murdered or imprisoned at Saul’s command?

So what excuse do we have for lacking compassion and heartfelt prayer for the restoration of a brother or sister who is struggling with sin? The parable of the lost sheep illustrates beautifully the compassion and love we should have for our brothers and sisters, no matter what they’ve done. But, what if that lost sheep is you or me? How would we want to be treated?

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7).

At times it can be difficult to see how bringing back a wayward sheep could be best for the whole flock; sometimes we may even be relieved to have them gone! But God’s wisdom is not ours, and His love is not fickle like ours. We understand that we ourselves are strengthened when we work to restore a brother: “Brethren if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).

True Compassion and the Dedicated Servant

So what should be our response when we recognize a brother or sister heading down a dark path? First pray sincerely—even with fasting—asking for eyes to see them the way God does, and for true compassion and mercy. We may have to continue to pray for this, time and again, possibly for years. Then go to your brother with humility and grace, not condemning, and talk to him about your concerns (Colossians 4:6).

Sometimes if he or she doesn’t immediately respond with meaningful change or obvious action, prayer is all we can do, but often God responds to our heartfelt prayer by opening a door for us to help. Pray for courage and wisdom to step out to help. This simple but profound demonstration of love will help prepare us to be used by God as encouragers and helpers. And that preparation won’t just be for one person now, but for so many people in the future as we work with Jesus Christ to rehabilitate and restore the entire world to God.

When that time comes, God will not snap His fingers and announce that all who attended church services faithfully and didn’t break too many commandments are suddenly capable of rehabilitating the billions of broken, sinful and troubled people. But He willcall forward those who spent their physical lives laboring, preparing and overcoming their own sins—those who learned humility, compassion, mercy, patience and faithfulness. For it is these people He will knowcan be trusted to faithfully “go after the one which is lost.”