Jesus is teaching His disciples, what to do, using this analogy of a shepherd and sheep.
So when He goes to heaven and is seated on the Throne, His disciples will follow His instructions.
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-ninejust persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:4-7
If then sheep returns [repents], he will be reconciled back to the Shepherd [found].
Until he repents, and turns back to God, he is lost.
Lost = Sinner in need of repentance; spiritually dead. Needs to be reconciled.
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
I know you understand this very simple princile.
A person who wanders away from God is lost, and must repent, just like they did when they were first saved, in order to be reconciled to God, otherwise they are spiritually dead.
How can you possibly not know this?
James plainly says this exact thing!
19 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 5:19-20
- wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back
Someone must go and turn the lost person back.
- let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way
A brother who has wandered from the truth, is as a sinner in need of repentance in order to be reconciled back to God.
- will save a soul from death
A brother who has wandered away from God is in danger of eternal death, if they don't repent and turn back to God.
- cover a multitude of sins.
Whoever turns a wayward brother who is lost, back to God, is walking in love: Love covers a multitude of sin.
JPT