Lost does not mean location unknown when speaking of a person’s spiritual status. We often hear Christians talk about the “lost.” Successful ventures often begin with a clear and easy-to-understand mission statement. Christianity exemplifies this, starting with Jesus’ words: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10 | ESV). He spoke these words in reference to Zacchaeus, who was not just a despised tax collector but a chief tax collector who came to believe in Him.
The religious people were outraged that Jesus would associate with a “sinner.” In response to their criticism, Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Luke 5:31 | ESV). The sickness He came to heal is sin. We are all born sinners in a sinful world, and we are lost in the sense that we do not know our fate when this life ends or if there even is anything beyond this life. The lost are people who have either not heard the gospel or have decided that following Jesus is not for them. They also include good, moral, and religious people who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Condition Unknown
Those who are lost do not know that they are lost. Unless the Holy Spirit opens their eyes, they see no need for Jesus. That is because the things of God are spiritually discerned. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18 | NIV).
Jesus proclaimed he “came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10 | NIV). He used this short parable to summarize what he meant. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:4-7 | NIV).