Bible Study Sheep who become lost.

[JLB]

This certainly brings up a great question for the osnas group. If salvation can be lost, how is it regained, or can it ever be? And what verses would lead one to such a view?

The born again Christian can indeed become lost.


Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-21

• he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death

Sheep who become lost is a foundational biblical principle, that needs to be discussed.

Sheep who become lost are as a sinner in need of repentance.



JLB

 

[civilwarbuff]

How do you define 'lost'? Lose their salvation? No longer believe? Or still believes but does not practice their faith? Something else?

 

[dirtfarmer]

The born again Christian can indeed become lost.


Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-21

• he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death

Sheep who become lost is a foundational biblical principle, that needs to be discussed.

Sheep who become lost are as a sinner in need of repentance.



JLB

hello JLB, dirtfarmer here

If you have one sheep and it is lost, is it still a sheep or does it do a "quick change" when you find it from whatever it changed into when it became lost?

 

[Northman]

Whenever I think of lost sheep it reminds me of Luke 15:4. Thank God He will focus on the one instead of the ninety-nine.

 

[GodsGrace]

hello JLB, dirtfarmer here

If you have one sheep and it is lost, is it still a sheep or does it do a "quick change" when you find it from whatever it changed into when it became lost?

Dirtfarmer,
It's still a sheep.
But it's lost.
We could be of the fold and become lost too.
Why would Jesus speak to this if it were not so??

IT does not change.
But it is LOST.

The shepherd goes to look for the sheep.
If the sheep is lucky, he finds her. Finding her way back to the fold is not easy.
Sometimes, the shepherd does NOT find the sheep. Because the wolf has gotten to them first.

Now we should ask HOW it got lost.
Because it didn't stay close to the shepherd. It didn't obey the guard dogs.
It wandered off to find something or just out of sheer stupidity. Sheep are not the smartest animals on earth.

That's why we're likened to sheep.
We should stay close to the shepherd.
We should obey the guard dogs. (pastors, priests, teachers)
IF we get lost, we should try to get back to fold, or listen for the shepherd and then go back with him.

 

[GodsGrace]

Whenever I think of lost sheep it reminds me of Luke 15:4. Thank God He will focus on the one instead of the ninety-nine.

Yes Northman.
But the shepherd is looking for the sheep because it's LOST.
If it were not lost, he wouldn't have to go look for it.
It's a pain in the neck, BTW.
But he is happy to find that one lost sheep.

You see the other 99 are safe and sound. They don't need to be looked for.
The one should have stayed with the 99, it would have been better all around.

 

[GodsGrace]

How do you define 'lost'? Lose their salvation? No longer believe? Or still believes but does not practice their faith? Something else?

CWB
Going by all your explanations above, in each case, or in ANY case, isn't the person still lost?

LOST SALVATION
NO LONGER BELIEVES = LOST SALVATION
DOES NOT PRACTICE FAITH = LOST SALVATION

Nothing else.

John 3:16
James 2:17

 

[GodsGrace]

The born again Christian can indeed become lost.


Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-21

• he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death

Sheep who become lost is a foundational biblical principle, that needs to be discussed.

Sheep who become lost are as a sinner in need of repentance.



JLB

Actually, I answered FreeGrace.

I asked him:
WHAT SAVED YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE?

He thought it was a funny question.

 

[PeterJens]

I always think of Pauls comments

4> Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5> It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6> Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7> It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8> Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Jesus always goes after people, but some will not return.
Judas heard and saw all that the other disciples saw, yet he never came to follow
Jesus in his heart.

I used to wonder if everyone had the same experiences would they follow Jesus and find
love. God says simply, No.

Life is a blessing and an opportunity to find love and the Lord.
Love always hopes and perseveres, and some will respond. That is our calling to call love
and share, Amen, praise the Lord.

 

[Northman]

Yes Northman.
But the shepherd is looking for the sheep because it's LOST.
If it were not lost, he wouldn't have to go look for it.
It's a pain in the neck, BTW.
But he is happy to find that one lost sheep.

You see the other 99 are safe and sound. They don't need to be looked for.
The one should have stayed with the 99, it would have been better all around.

That is a good summary of the sentence I gave, yes.

 

[GodsGrace]

That is a good summary of the sentence I gave, yes.

So happy you liked it.

 

[civilwarbuff]

CWB
Going by all your explanations above, in each case, or in ANY case, isn't the person still lost?

LOST SALVATION
NO LONGER BELIEVES = LOST SALVATION
DOES NOT PRACTICE FAITH = LOST SALVATION

Nothing else.

John 3:16
James 2:17

So by this would it be fair to say denying Jesus/not practicing faith would would cause loss of salvation?
So if practicing our faith excludes lying for example would that mean we lose our salvation for lying? Or would it take something more serious such as adultery or murder to lose our salvation?

 

[dirtfarmer]

Dirtfarmer,
It's still a sheep.
But it's lost.
We could be of the fold and become lost too.
Why would Jesus speak to this if it were not so??

IT does not change.
But it is LOST.

The shepherd goes to look for the sheep.
If the sheep is lucky, he finds her. Finding her way back to the fold is not easy.
Sometimes, the shepherd does NOT find the sheep. Because the wolf has gotten to them first.

Now we should ask HOW it got lost.
Because it didn't stay close to the shepherd. It didn't obey the guard dogs.
It wandered off to find something or just out of sheer stupidity. Sheep are not the smartest animals on earth.

That's why we're likened to sheep.
We should stay close to the shepherd.
We should obey the guard dogs. (pastors, priests, teachers)
IF we get lost, we should try to get back to fold, or listen for the shepherd and then go back with him.

hello wondering, dirtfarmer here

To whom does the "lost" sheep belong? Is it still # 100 of the 100 that the shepherd owns? or does it belong to someone else?

The question to ask is about fellowship, not relationship. The lost sheep, while lost, stills has the same relationship with his owner. It is the fellowship that is hindered .

 

[JLB]

How do you define 'lost'? Lose their salvation? No longer believe? Or still believes but does not practice their faith? Something else?

Lost = Sinner who is need of repentance; dead to God, in need of salvation, reconciliation to God.

Found = Someone is is reconciled to God; saved.

• Lost Sheep:

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7

• Lost Coin:

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:10

• Prodigal Son

It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’” Luke 15:32



This foundational truth can not be changed by quoting other scriptures.


JLB

 

[JLB]

hello JLB, dirtfarmer here

If you have one sheep and it is lost, is it still a sheep or does it do a "quick change" when you find it from whatever it changed into when it became lost?

It’s a lost sheep who has returned to being a sinner in need of repentance.

A person is either lost or found.

Lost = Sinner who is need of repentance; spiritually dead to God, in need of salvation, reconciliation to God.

If you believe “lost” means something else, then please post what that something is, with the accompanying scriptures.


I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7


Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10



It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’” Luke 15:32


The teaching shows the son was lost, spiritually dead to the Father, then when he repented, he was alive again.



JLB

 

[JLB]

Actually, I answered FreeGrace.

I asked him:
WHAT SAVED YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE?

He thought it was a funny question.

Don’t feel like the lone stranger, I’m still waiting for him to answer my question.


JLB

 

[civilwarbuff]

Lost = Sinner who is need of repentance; dead to God, in need of salvation, reconciliation to God.

Found = Someone is is reconciled to God; saved.

That is almost textbook for someone who was never saved then comes to God. I thought we were talking about some one who has 'lost' their salvation unless you are saying they are alike?....that it is as if the saved person had never been saved?....That they are starting from scratch all over again?
Would they need to be born again 'again'? Would they need to be baptized again? Or if a person loses their salvation is it even possible to be saved/regain their salvation again?

 

[dirtfarmer]

It’s a lost sheep who has returned to being a sinner in need of repentance.

A person is either lost or found.

Lost = Sinner who is need of repentance; spiritually dead to God, in need of salvation, reconciliation to God.

If you believe “lost” means something else, then please post what that something is, with the accompanying scriptures.


I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7


Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10



It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’” Luke 15:32


The teaching shows the son was lost, spiritually dead to the Father, then when he repented, he was alive again.



JLB

hello JLB, dirtfarmer here

So, am I to understand from your answer, you are either saved or you are either lost, there is no being out of fellowship with God but still be his child?

 

[JLB]

That is almost textbook for someone who was never saved then comes to God. I thought we were talking about some one who has 'lost' their salvation unless you are saying they are alike?....

Exactly alike.

Unbeliever who has never been = Lost
Sinner in need of repentance.

Sheep who have wandered from the truth = Lost. Sinner in need of repentance.


No difference.


JLB

 

[JLB]

hello JLB, dirtfarmer here

So, am I to understand from your answer, you are either saved or you are either lost, there is no being out of fellowship with God but still be his child?

Lost or Found.

I gave scriptures that define either case.

Spiritually dead or spiritually alive.


If you have another biblical term for some other state of existence Other than:

• Lost or found
• Spiritually dead or spiritually alive

Then please share with supporting scripture.


JLB