Lost sheep parable ...

[ByTheSpirit]

Notice how the parable ends, and it's important to catch that. Even though God searches and searches, if indeed the woman represents God, the sinner must repent before there is joy in the presence of God's angels. We know the Holy Spirit convicts of sin and Jesus said that no one could come to Him unless the Father drew them. So perhaps Jesus was giving the key to this parable and the others there. God does indeed draw all people, for He wants all to come to repentance, but the sinner must repent, God can not repent for them. I see no contradiction in any of it, God searches for and calls all to repentance so they may know Him as Savior, but the sinner must repent and believe to be saved. If they do not, it makes Him no less Savior.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Now the one thing I do not think any of us, well one did mention this, is that perhaps these give credence to once saved always saved. Not just a sinner's prayer type saved (meaning someone who just verbalizes a prayer) but a legit born again experience. Notice Jesus says they all belong to the individual in the parable, whether the shepherd or the woman, what they lost had belonged to them at one point. Whether lost sheep (Jews) or coins (Gentiles), the illustration is the same, once we belong to God we are His and He will seek us out (John 10). In this case though I do not see a connection with the 1 Timothy 4:10 passage mentioned, though my previous remarks do stand concerning said passage. Just presenting that there could be another alternative. AND THEN....

 

[ByTheSpirit]

One last possibility is Jesus merely gave examples to His audience that would help them understand what He was teaching them, that God was overjoyed when a sinner repented and turned to Him. They would understand the joys of losing sheep and finding them and they would understand the joy of losing a coin (a drachma, a day's wage) and finding it. They would also understand the individuals plight in the parables given as they searched diligently for their lost items. They would have made the connection that "Hey God really does care for me and wants to see me repent!" There may be other possibilities, but neither of which bring contradiction to scriptures, perhaps confusion (that's a given) but how can a finite being such as me, understand an infinite God? We just need greater revelation to know the scriptures and God. Jesus still had to open His' disciples understanding so they could know the scriptures, even after the 3+ years they lived with Him. Be blessed bro!