In Luke, Jesus gives the example of the shepherd who leaves the 99 to go search for the 1 who has been separated from the 99. He leaves the 99 out in an open space to decrease the likelihood of attack by predators and then goes to search for that 1 sheep. When he finds that one lost sheep he gathers it to himself and returns it to the flock. Not only that; but he gathers his friends to celebrate having found the stray. You are that one percent. You are that one who hasn't been in the flock and has been missed by the shepherd who keeps account of all the flock. You are the one who is in need of being found. You are that one percent. So is your neighbor, spouse, children, enemies, co-workers and friends. Maybe even your pastor or elder is in need of being found, restored and celebrated. Maybe. Maybe you don't want that one percent to be part of the flock. Maybe you don't care if they continue to go missing or lack the salvation necessary to save their soul. Maybe we have a world where the "one percent" has been mischaracterized to where it's referred to those who have been envied for their position. Maybe you, like the prodigal's brother are angry that the "one percent" is given the same grace, love and salvation that you have been offered and freely accepted. Maybe.
I'd love to think that the Christians around you and I had the humbleness of the prodigal to come and asked to being accepted back as a huge privilege given by a loving God and Father. Maybe you have, maybe you haven't. You know because you know what kind of one percent you are. Christians have fallen down on the responsibility to leave the 99 and seek the 1. Instead, Christians are content to be part of the 99 and don't care that the one (or many one's) have no relationship with Jesus. Maybe...you simply don't care. Your focus isn't on bringing anyone the Good News in order that they body may be complete. Your focus is on what you perceive as a right rather than a privilege to be saved. You have no right to be saved. The Father has no obligation to come searching for you and I. The truth be told, we need to acknowledge that we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He isn't willing that any perish but cannot interfere with the choice to perish. The Father continually seeks to being the unbeliever and fallen back to the flock in order that they might be saved and protected from the enemy hiding around every corner.
Everything about the world is about selfishness and the path to destruction because of the hate towards the one percent found by Christ. It's not the Christian that is hated though. The object of their hate is that Christ has given us the riches of heaven while they have chosen the riches of the world. One is for eternity and the other for destruction. Imagine that you have a choice to go with the Savior who died for your sins or you have the choice to spend eternity in hell. All you are required to do for the former is to give up your rights. All you need for the latter is to demand all of your rights. Both choices are yours. You and you alone have the ability to be found. The Savior is always seeking the lost. You are being sought by a loving and benevolent Father who notices those who need to be saved. Your choice determines if you are his one percent or the world's one percent. I can't make that decision for you but I have made it for me. I've chosen to be found and have the promise of eternal life with Him. There are no holds here on earth for me. Are you ready? Do you want to be His one percent?
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