Three Reasons Why Sinners Are Lost

2 Corinthians 4:3

I suppose it would be well to understand our terms:

(1) By "sinners" we mean ones who have sinned and therefore come "...short of the glory of God", Romans 3:23. Sin comes in many forms, such as lying, stealing, cheating, failing to do that which is right in the sight of God (and this is just a sampling).

(2) In that they are sinners, they are "lost". I didn't say that, God did! Jesus said, ". . . the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.", Luke 19:10. Just because Jesus paid the price on the cross at Calvary, does not automatically give sinners licence to enter heaven at the close of their life here on earth. "Ye must be born again" - - - Jesus said it, as recorded in John 3:7.

A second reason sinners are lost is that they have seen themselves as sinful enough to need to repent: ". . . repentance toward God, and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ." is the way Paul spoke of it, Acts 20:21. Jesus said it this way: ". . . except ye repent; ye shall all likewise perish." By the way, the Greek word for "perish" is also translated "lost". It is not easy for men to see themselves as less than perfect - - - it seems. Others can readily see it - - - God sees it; and man must if he is to repent.

Jesus says He came to call ". . . sinners to repentance.", Matthew 9:13. When we fathom the love of the Father; and the sacrifice of Jesus at the cross on our behalf; we can then see why Paul would say: ". . . the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance," Romans 2:4.

The third reason sinners are lost is that they "neglect" hearing the Word of God; heeding the Spirit; believing it makes a difference to believe in Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Hebrews 2:3 says "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, . . .". PLEASE ". . . believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved, . . ." Acts 16:31. DDH