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A young couple, lost on a rural road spotted an old farmer so they stopped the car and asked him, “Sir, could you tell us where this road will take us?” Without a moments hesitation the old farmer said, “Son, this road will take you anywhere in the world you want to go, if you move in the right direction.”
I used to believe that if I could find where I was on a map, regardless of how far off track I was, I was not lost. That was until I looked up the definition in a dictionary. Three of the definitions of lost include; no longer possessed; having gone astray; and unable to help oneself. When considering the spiritual application of this it is clear that we fall into each of these categories with regard to being lost. Isaiah 53:6 refers to us as sheep that have gone astray; we have each turned to our own way. We are no longer where we are supposed to be. Jesus taught a parable of a shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep and seeks out the lost one no longer in the fold.
In Paul’s letter to Titus (2:14), he makes reference to us as being redeemed by Jesus as a people for His own possession. I believe we are born innocent (Matthew 18:3) into a world that is influenced by sin and eventually rebel against God by sinning against Him. That which was possessed by God is lost, no longer possessed, until they are redeemed by the blood of Christ. What a wonderful plan our Creator and God has established!
“Unable to help ourselves” is covered in Romans 5:6, where we see, “while we were yet helpless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Of the three definition of lost, this is the one that never changes. Without Christ’s death on the cross we are still accountable for our sins. We are helpless to do anything about that except let Jesus be our Savior.
Where is the road you’re following taking you? Are you lost? God is the right direction… Seek Him and be found. “For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” 1 Pet 2:25 (NAS)
Copyright © 2005, Nolan P. Rutter