THE SADDEST WORD - LOST. Do you ever read the 'Lost and Found' columns? Some of the notices can be pathetic, can't they? 'Lost - purse containing pensioner's savings.' 'Lost - a brief case with student's class notes, needed urgently.' Frequently there are stories in the media about a child lost or missing. 'Lost' is very often a sad word. Jesus used the word 'lost' many times in his preaching. He said in our reading today (v 10) that his purpose in coming was to find and save those who are lost. What did he mean? The word used in the original means to 'lose utterly'. But it is also translated many times as 'perish' or even 'destroy'. It can mean 'wasted' or 'ruined'. We sometimes say 'I have ruined my clothes' when we still have the clothes, but they are no longer usable. The Biblical meaning of this sad word is that man is lost to God forever unless a Saviour intervenes. It includes loss of the joys of heaven and eternal separation from God. Remember - man may be ruined but he does not cease to exist. Man was made for fellowship with God but sin has come in between so man has lost that place of privilege. God feels that 'loss' because He loves every individual soul and gave His Son to remedy the situation. Are all people destined to be lost today? Not if they are willing to accept what God has done for them. The lost can be saved and the sinner can be changed - all because God loves us and His Son died in our place. What does Romans 5:8 say? 'God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still (lost) sinners, Christ died for us.' HALLELUJAH! WHAT A SAVIOUR! |
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