Lost Sinner and Repentance — E.A. Johnston

The Connection Between Being Lost and Repenting

Let me ask you a question, friend. Are you saved? Are you? Then let me ask you this. Have you ever been lost? How do you know you're saved if you've never been lost? Modern evangelism has omitted and ignored the connection which Jesus taught between a lost sinner and his need of repentance.

Christ’s Purpose and Man’s Duty in Salvation

In the Gospel of Luke, we have ample illustrations of these two truths, as Jesus time and time again taught his men the path to eternal life. There are two verses found in Luke's Gospel that describe both Christ's purpose in salvation and man's duty regarding it, and they are like two mighty door hinges upon which the way of salvation opens and closes.

These verses are Luke 5 .32 and Luke 19 .10. Let us read these one by one. Here now is the word of God, and may the Spirit of the Lord attend the reading of his holy word. Luke 5 .32 declares, I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

And Luke 19 .10 states, For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus is looking for lost sinners who need to repent. This is better illustrated by his parables in Luke chapter 15 about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

Repentance in the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin

The man who lost his sheep said, Rejoice with me, for I found my sheep which was lost. And the key to understanding this is found in Luke 15 .7, where Jesus states, I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repented, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Then Jesus speaks a parable about a woman and a lost coin, where she loses a silver coin and sweeps the whole house looking for it. And when she finds it, she exclaims, Rejoice with me, for I have found the peace which I had lost.

Now notice Christ's observation. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of angels, of God over one sinner that repenteth. The emphasis in these parables is on the words lost and repentance.

The Prodigal Son’s Return and Restoration

Then Jesus relates the parable about the lost son, who took his inheritance and squandered it in riotous living until he was forced to attach himself to a man who had some swine. And he fed those swine and ate of their husks.

And we see this prodigal finally come to his senses, and he returns to his father's house. And when he sees his father, he says, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

We see here how the relationship is restored once repentance is exercised. And in Luke chapter 13, we find a call to repentance by our Lord. In 13 .3 we read, I tell you nay, but except you repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

False Professions and the Necessity of Repentance

And that applies to the famous lost seminary professor who claimed that repentance was not necessary for salvation. It applies to the chairman of the deacon who has never exercised repentance. It applies to all baptized church members who rest upon a empty religious profession, but being strangers to repentance.

Friend, have you ever been a lost sinner, seeking a savior from sin? Have you ever felt your need of a remedy for sin in the person of Christ Jesus? If you merely walked an island, except Jesus as your personal savior, chances are you've missed repentance.

Repentance, Faith, and the True Gospel

And if you miss repentance, you miss faith. Because in Acts 20, 21, we read how the apostle Paul preached the gospel, testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Like I said, friends, if you miss repentance, you miss faith. And if you miss faith, you miss Jesus and end up with a false profession that will eventually send you to a devil's hell. Repent before it's too late.

Amen.