Do you have to realize you are lost before you can be saved?
Yes. Scripture teaches that a person cannot be saved until they realize how lost they are, because Romans 3:23 declares all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That awareness of lostness is where salvation must start; the sheep that knew it was lost and in trouble is the one the Lord saved.
Les teaches that Romans 3:23 is the crowning verse and the starting point for anyone who wants salvation. He shares that his pastor put it plainly: you can never be saved until you realize how lost you are. That matches Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Les also points to Jesus' parable of the 99 sheep. The 99 were not safe in the fold but were lost in the desert without a shepherd and did not know it. The one lamb caught in a crevice, bleeding and knowing it was lost and in trouble, was the one the Lord saved. Les applies this today: multitudes sit in churches Sunday after Sunday thinking they are all right, and they will never be saved until they realize how lost they are.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
More Questions
Where does a person have to start in order to be saved?
Every person who wants salvation has to start by realizing how lost they are, because that is what Romans 3:23 says: for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.