There are those who are lost in sin. They are confused and turned every which way by the Devil’s lies. They face a temptation and remember what they were taught: “You can’t…” But then the Devil whispers, and says “why not…?” They linger and listen, they stew over the sin. Suddenly, “you can’t” has been replaced by “it’s okay…” which eventually gives way to “you should” and “you must.” Then they do, and then they’re lost.
What a state in which to be.
Is that it? Are they hopeless? Are they trapped forever? No.
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
(John 12:31)
Jesus compares His impending death to the casting out of the prince of this world. In what way? After all, Satan is still active on earth. The Apostles make reference to him in their writings, post-crucifixion. People continue to be tempted and sin today. How has Satan been cast out? He has been expelled in the sense that his power is no longer absolute. Men do not have to be be ensnared by him anymore. There is now a way out of slavery, and it is found in the freedom offered by Jesus.
Lost people need Jesus, because through Him, we are rescued. And then what? How do we describe the people saved by Jesus? “Found” is a good way to do it. “Saved” is another. There are many ways to describe us, but why not take the one that Satan hung around our necks like an albatross and turn it into something positive. We used to be “lost.” Now… we are “lost!”
Lost how?
Lost in the love of Christ, as we sing in Blessed Assurance. We are consumed by it. There’s no end in sight of it. There’s no accidental way out of it. We’re wrapped up, tied up, and all tangled up in it. We are “born of His Spirit and lost in His love.”
What a state in which to be!
~Matthew