Page 13 - Biblical Theology Textbook - masters

Our conscience bears witness to what is right and wrong. Even those who are lost have some kind of
conscience, though repeated wrongdoing tends to deaden it. Being lost is bearing the guilt of past sins.
Guilt is real and accumulates unless it is dealt with appropriately.

2. The Present – being “lost: means being in bondage to the confusion, emptiness, and despair of the
present. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:3, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
(perishing).” It is a present reality. But how so? It means being trapped in a state of “lostness.” It is the
sense of emptiness and despair that characterizes so many people today. Paul says in verse 4 that the
“god of this world” (Satan) has blinded their minds.

3. The Future – being “lost” means ultimately having no real confidence, peace, or hope for the future.
Jesus warned, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter
the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) Literally it reads, “…no conceivable way, not possible” or
simply “No Way!” Jesus warned of eternal judgment. Hell is more than a swear word. It is where our
desires are never fulfilled and a place of never ending “lostness.”

The world, too, remains lost and has no ultimate hope without the assurance of Jesus that He will come
again.

So, what does all this mean? It means that mankind, and each person, is “lost” in sin and hopelessness –
past, present, and future.

Since we are all lost, how can we be found?
When John saw Jesus coming to him, he cried out, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of
the world!” John 1:29. This declaration of John was significant, because for hundreds of years the Jews
brought lambs into the temple as sacrifices for their sins. They had to return year after year because no
lamb could take away all their sin.

Why Would God Offer to Redeem Mankind?

God’s goals for Humanity in offering salvation:
Lest we believe that God wanted to do everything and that was His motivation, we need to remember
that God had goals for humanity in offering salvation. God wanted His people to be holy as He is. God
wanted to use us in bringing about salvation. God also wants to reward us for being faithful in His salvific
plan.

To have His people be holy (set apart)
God wants His people to represent Him as Holy in the world both through who they are and
what they do. His goal is that they be transformed into the image of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18
specifically says that becoming like Christ is a process. Ephesians 4:22 talks about believers who
are in Christ but need to daily put off the old man live to Christ. It is not questioning whether
they are in Christ but instead telling us them how to live in Him. We need to kill that which is
corrupt in us and live as the people of God we have become. We get this power from the Holy
Spirit.

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