Aug 16, 2018
He gave himself for
our sins to rescue us from the present evil age. Gal 1:4
We were rescued from
this world, so don't go back to participating in its behaviors.
It was the first chance we had to go to the swimming pool
that summer. Our neighbors had invited us
along with their kids, and mom allowed us to go with them while she was at
work. We piled in and headed off to the
public pool in the next town over, and all of us were so excited. When we arrived, we checked in and
dropped off our stuff by some chairs, and four of us boys headed straight for the diving board! No shallow end for us, we were going to make
a big splash! Two went off in front of
me, and I ran down the board to jump off, only to see my best friend
DIRECTLY below me. I panicked, but somehow by the grace of God missed him, yet the damage was done. Into the water I sank, sucking in a chunk of
the pool with me. I couldn’t breathe,
and found myself disoriented, trying to figure out how to get out of the
water. I thought my life was over, when the
strong arms of a lifeguard grabbed me and pulled me up to the edge. He got me out, and helped me cough out enough water to
breathe again. About 15 minutes later, I
was returning to normal, and ready to go back into the pool --- but this time
with a bit more care. Being rescued, I
didn’t want to go through that again.
If only being rescued would have the same effect for our
lives beyond swimming!
That story is a good metaphor for Christ’s work in us. He was our lifeguard, jumping in to our pool
from heaven, and rescuing us from the sin that had us drowning. He not only saved us, but gave us a new
chance to enjoy life again after being rescued.
Yet instead of using that life for His honor, we often find ourselves
jumping right back into the sins that had caused us to drown before. Somehow – we think being rescued has taught
us how to handle sin – when instead
the rescue should teach us to avoid sin!
At the next break, the lifeguard came and checked on me, and
gave me some safety tips for the next time I would go off the board. He encouraged me to swim again, just with a
bit more attention to safety. I was glad
to comply!
If you follow Jesus, then you have been RESCUED! Don’t waste it! Eliminate the behaviors that were drowning
your life with God, and pursue a life that obeys your rescuer. He will let you in the pool again, but this
time, swim in obedience to His purposes and ways. It will be a safer experience and will be a
greater joy to your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment