I know this surprises people, but its true, a lost person cannot and will not understand and believe the Gospel when it comes to Salvation and Conversion.
The truth of the matter is while men are in a unregenerate lost state, the Gospel is hidden from them resulting in unbelief. 2 Cor 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Its plainly stated in the passage "our gospel it is hid to them that are lost" !
So the counter to that is, our Gospel is not hid to the save. By saved I mean two things #1 Those saved by the Eternal Purpose of God and Blood of Christ, and #2 Saved by the Regenerating Power of the Spirit. See only those who have been regenerated have been liberated from Spiritual darkness and blindness by the god of this world, as long as we are unregenerate our minds remain blinded by the god of this world.
Also how can the Gospel be the Gospel of ones Salvation Eph 1:13 if the person is in a lost state, that's a contradiction.
Paul had written earlier that its the saved, to whom the preaching of the Cross is the power of God 1 Cor 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Notice, not unto the lost is it the power of God, but unto us which are saved !
Notice also saved here in this verse 1 Cor 1:18 is in the present tense, they are in a saved state, and they are being saved, converted, because its also a passive voice.
This confirms that the Gospel can only be a converting word, if one is saved already, and no longer in a lost state.
