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As I see it, the primary thing we need to remember about a
"lost" person is that he is Not *where* he ought to be. This is the
reason he is "lost", right? As far as I know this is true in
whatever application one might make. Consider the following:
1. The wicked unregenerate are not where they ought to be, hence
they are lost.
Because of the fundamental relationship that exists between Man and
his Creator, the wicked unregenerate ought to be praising Him for
their existence and sustenance. The air they breathe and the food
they eat belongs to their Creator. The purpose of their very
existence is grounded in Him. Therefore, they ought to be seeking to
find their happiness, their contentment, and the fulfilment of their
purpose in Him. The gravity of their condemnation is Not that these
*can't* seek God their Creator, But rather, that they *won't* seek
Him. Ps. 10:4
These are willfully lost because of the enmity (hostility) within
their minds toward God their Creator. Romans 8:7
Practical Application: Repentance ought to be preached to these as
occasion permits because these are not where they ought to be-- they
are lost. Although we do not have the power to restore these to where
and what they ought to be, nevertheless, the preaching of repentance
leaves them without excuse and reaffirms their just condemnation
before their Creator and Judge. See Acts 17.
Although Paul didn't preach the gospel to the Athenians in Acts 17,
he did preach repentance-- that they should repent from the vanities
they had turned to in their rebellion. He preached moral repentance
and reaffirmed the fundamental relationship that exists between Man
and his Creator. Paul explains, "And the times [past] of this
ignorance [rebellion manifested by idolatry] God winked at; but now
commandeth all men every where to repent:" Acts 17:30 & ch.
Yes, it is true that "some mocked" the truth Paul presented.
Nevertheless, we read that among the mockers there were also "certain
men [that] clave unto him and believed." verse 34
Implication: The call to "moral repentance" ought not be neglected as
opportunity may provide. Moral repentance ought to be preached even
though the ungodly will refuse to repent from their error. In such
preaching the fundamental truth regarding the relationship between
"Creator and creature" is reaffirmed and God is honored thereby. With
respect to this type of preaching, consider Noah who was a preacher
of moral righteousness in his generation. 2 Peter 2:5
2. Regenerate Unbelievers are not where they ought to be, hence they
too are lost.
Again, it is vital that the fundamental relationship between the
Creator and Man be affirmed. The message of man's guilt and
condemnation before his Creator will agree with what the Holy Spirit
has inwardly taught the regenerate sinner. With this inward blessing
of conviction of sin, the message of condemnation will agree with the
conviction that has been placed upon his heart and stimulate godly
sorrow which worketh repentance. With a repentant heart, the
regenerate sinner is now inwardly prepared to profitably receive the
gospel message of justification from sin. The gospel message calls
him to "faith in Christ Jesus" as the divinely appointed remedy for
his lost condition. Such faith brings the regenerate sinner to the
"acknowledgement of the truth" (Titus 1:1). Such a one is no longer
an Unbeliever; hence, he is where he ought to be and is no longer
lost.
Practical Application: Faith in Christ Jesus necessarily implies
baptism and church fellowship with likeminded saints where spiritual
gifts may be exercised and improved in an environment conducive to
further growth, maturity, and usefulness.
3. Erring believers, that is, errant church members, are Not where they ought
to be, hence they also are lost.
Brotherly love, as well as our covenant of Church fellowship
instructs us that we ought to watch over one another for good. Even
within the church relationship it sometimes happens that good
brothers err from the truth. When this is the case, then these are
not where they ought to be and in this sense they are lost.
"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of
his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of
sins." James 5:20
Practical Application: Christian charity does not ignore or excuse
the error of a brother or sister; rather, it motivates to lovingly convert them
from error with a kind and sincere spirit. Sometimes the case is
such that erring ones choose to cling to their error. Jer. 6:10;
11:10. In such cases the charitable Christian must find contentment
in the fact that, although the erring one[s] did not convert, Yet
God's moral truth was affirmed by his efforts and God was thus
honored and justified in whatever ensues.
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