The Only Distinction That Matters
By Rick Warren
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 (NLT)
In God’s eyes, there are only two kinds of people—saved people and lost people. Every one of us falls into one of these two categories. And, ultimately, no other human distinction matters.
God loves all people—regardless of gender, race, or culture. And he doesn’t distinguish people by their education, looks, wealth, or talent. What matters most to him is whether people are spiritually saved or lost.
“Saved” and “lost” imply value. The two words mean that God sees you as being worthy of seeking, saving, and finding; “saved” and “lost” are expressions of his love.
The Bible says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10 NLT). That’s how valuable you are. Jesus Christ came to earth to seek you and to save you.
Only valuable things get lost; invaluable things just get misplaced. In other words, nobody loses a toothpick. You may misplace a toothpick, but you don’t lose it—because it’s not that valuable.
If I lost my wedding ring, it would be a real loss because it represents over 40 years of commitment to my wife. Not only that, but Kay gave it to me, and I love her. I would never misplace my wedding ring; I would lose it.
So, when we talk about whether a person is spiritually saved or lost, we’re not talking about that person’s value. Whether someone is saved or lost, they’re incredibly valuable.
But God doesn’t want anyone to be spiritually lost. Why? Because it means they are disconnected from him and don’t have a relationship with him.
Over the next three days, we’re going to look at the question, “What do you actually lose when you’re spiritually lost?” The answers to this question will help you understand how much you matter to God and help you share this encouraging news with others.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes
As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.
Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.
As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.
Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.
Thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
