Anthem: Grace in Your StorySample

I Once was Lost

Newton’s story is summed up by this one line, I once was lost, but now am found.

We can only be found if we know we’re lost; when we realize that there’s a right path, but we’re not on it. It’s then that we become aware of our need to be found.

The truth is, without Jesus, we all are lost. We are spiritually lost, even though we’re not physically lost.

The Bible describes what it means to be lost:

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Ephesians 2:1-2).”

When we’re lost, we’re living in sin—the wrong things we do that go against God’s perfect law. We don’t know the difference between sin and righteousness. We’re not following Jesus, but “the ways of this world” instead. The world’s path promises life, but only leads to destruction, and, ultimately, death.

No one who is lost can be at home at the same time. When we’re spiritually lost, we’re not living at home with Jesus. Jesus promises that the Father and Himself make their homes with those who love them (John 14:23).

The good news is that there’s a way to be found. We don’t have to live outside of God’s home forever. There’s no lock on the door. But, we can only be found if someone else comes and finds us.

That’s why Jesus came. In Luke 19:10 He says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Jesus seeks out and saves those who are lost, guiding each person home to Himself. So that along with John Newton, we can sing, I once was lost, but now am found.