Luke 18:26-27 English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁶ Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

The issue of being lost takes on three important factors. The first deals with our awareness of our condition, a conviction that is heartfelt. The commandments were given in order for sin to be seen as exceedingly sinful. It is that mirror we must look into and recognize the ugliness of our lives.

The second is a sincere desire to escape that condition. No one will accept change without seeing the need for it.

The third is that we are absolutely powerless to change our hearts and that we need God to do it for us.

Look to the parable of the lost sheep. He strayed. Did the sheep know he was lost? Scriptures do not tell us how the sheep perceived his condition. We are left to relate the possibilities of the thoughts of the sheep to our own condition having gone astray. Was there wandering in the wilderness of fear? Was there a seeking to find his way back? Did he cry out or was he afraid that crying out would only attract those who would seek to devour him? None of the thoughts are included in the telling.

In the parable of the lost sheep in Luke chapter 15, the Shepard went out and found that lost sheep and upon finding it, placed it upon His shoulders and returned it to the flock. That sheep was not allowed to walk back on his own, he was carried, helpless to escape his Shepard.

Does our salvation story contain these elements? Has the lies of Satan convinced us that we found our way to God on our own? Each and every element of our salvation story can be twisted by the lies of Satan to lead the lost to a sense of false security.

Be honest in our evaluation of our salvation moment. Develop a witness for telling it to the lost.

Matthew 4:6 English Standard Version (ESV) and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

This is the second temptation of Christ by Satan. Notice closely that Satan knows scripture and the temptation is associated with the proper application of God’s Word. What was written was not challenged, only the application.

There are two lies that Satan constantly hounds mankind with in his efforts to steal and kill and destroy. One is that we are not saved when we are and the other is that we are saved when we are not. Both are meant to destabilize the security of believers.

2 Corinthians 13:5 English Standard Version (ESV) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

All test have an opening question which sets the tone for the rest of the examination. If we are to test ourselves we must be able to answer the primary question with confidence before we continue on with the self-examination. Where do we begin?

It begins with our conversion story. We need to have a primary witness that the lost can identify with. I was lost and now am saved is insufficient as a witness. It is vague and easily dismissed.

There has to be a salvation moment that is both convicting and life changing. No one accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior without feeling the need for salvation. No one can be saved if they do not accept they are lost. Even the word lost is a vague term. What are the words we use to describe that wake up moment when we realized we needed to change?