sacrificial love and affection for the lost

1 Thessalonians 2:8
So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Paul loved the lost as Jesus did - sacrificially, while they were yet sinners (Romans 5:8) His love was demonstrated in a willingness to give his own life for the opportunity for them to hear the Gospel (1 Thess. 1:6 & 2:2). Paul endured affliction and conflict for them so that he might express his affection and commitment to them. Paul also loved the lost affectionately, longing to be with them in fellowship, sharing life together because they had become dear to him. He didn't hide in a holy huddle and hope the world was watching - he did life with the lost. Paul's Gospel was not in word alone but in sacrificially, affectionately love for those outside the church.
Do I have a similar love for the lost? Am I willing to sacrifice my time, my priorities, my comfort, my safety, my life in order to gain an opportunity to share with them life and the Gospel of God? Have I made it a priority to share life with those outside the church? Who are the lost that have become this dear to me?

Father - grow my heart and affection for lost people. Help me expand my circle of friendship to include many outside the church. Give me a desire to share with the lost life along with the Gospel. Amen.