In Christ's parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), what about the "ninety and nine" that weren't lost? It's sometimes nice to think of ourselves as Not-Lost Sheep, merrily cheering those prodigals who return while happy in our own status as "just persons, who need no repentance." But don't we all need repentance? Haven't we all fallen away from our shepherd into some corner of this telestial wilderness? And if we're so good at following the shepherd wherever he leads us, why didn't we not-lost sheep in the parable follow him looking for the one who was lost?
The process of salvation requires each of us to shed all other concerns and false faith, and depend on Christ only. That's what happens when the lost sheep finds himself alone in the wilderness, and it's what needs to happen to us. It will not serve us to tell ourselves that there are 98 other sheep grazing happily around us, so Christ must be somewhere nearby. We can rest only when we've determined we are indeed in his presence.
The process of salvation requires each of us to shed all other concerns and false faith, and depend on Christ only. That's what happens when the lost sheep finds himself alone in the wilderness, and it's what needs to happen to us. It will not serve us to tell ourselves that there are 98 other sheep grazing happily around us, so Christ must be somewhere nearby. We can rest only when we've determined we are indeed in his presence.