The book of Luke uses the word “lost” more than any other book in the New Testament. It is within the pages of this account of the gospel that we read, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (19:10). Chapter 15 focuses on a sheep that was a lost, a coin that was lost and a son who was lost. In God’s eyes, who is lost? When the Son of Man came, how would He identify the lost?
Over the years, some men have tried to advocate that mankind enters this world (as a baby) in total depravity, separated from God, having inherited at birth the sin of Adam. While this doctrine has been accepted and taught with slight variants over the centuries, the gist of the basic dogma is that babies are born sinful in the eyes of God. (This false doctrine gave rise to the false doctrine and practice of infant baptism.)
However, diligent and unprejudiced Bible study will lead one to realize that God never recognizes infants to be in a lost condition. Ezekiel 18:20 clearly states, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father…the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Being born of woman (Gal. 4:4) as the Son of Man, baby Jesus could not have escaped some level of depravity, if this doctrine is true. Instead, Jesus told mankind to “become as little children” (Matt. 18:3). No, infants are not lost! So, who is lost?
When we consider those who are of age and are accountable before God (cf. Rom. 14:12), Scriptures teach that the following persons are lost: those who do not know God (2 Thess. 1:8-9); those who reject the cross of Christ (1 Cor. 1:18); those who do not obey the gospel (2 Cor. 4:3-4); those who do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24); those who do not repent of their sins (Luke 13:3); those who do not confess their faith (John 12:42-43); those who repudiate Bible baptism (Mark 16:16); those who are outside the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47, the saved are in the church); those who are lukewarm church members (Rev. 3:14-19, told to repent); those who have turned away from the truth (James 5:19-20). This list is not exhaustive but begins to outline who is lost in God’s eyes.
When the most important and fundamental subject of Scripture is studied—salvation—let’s lay aside all man-made doctrines, go to the Bible and find God’s way.