Rescue Me

Galatians 1:3-5  3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

Paul, an apostle, writes to the church at Galatia and reminds them of the great sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross to rescue them from eternal life in hell.  Not only eternal life in hell, but from this present age or "the now."  Why do we need to be rescued from "the now?"  Man's great plans and solutions are only temporal at best and the ways of the world fade away quickly leaving us wanting.  Our life focus must be on the ways of God found in His Holy Word, the Bible.  But, not all people, even Christians, deny that God's ways are the best and continue to live in accordance with the world's way of thinking and living.  The church at Galatia had many problems that had become known to Paul and he jumped right in the middle of their worldly reasoning with a "truth bomb."  He shared with them, and us, the reality of what Jesus did on the cross and how it affects our lives now and forevermore.  Jesus giving Himself on the cross for our sins gives us the opportunity to receive eternal life in heaven, but also to "live" a life that is much different from the world.  The explosion of that truth bomb should affect all who come in contact with it.  Here are some things to think about in accordance to the truth.

The Big Ten

1.  We are separated from God because of our sin.  Romans 3:23  For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

2.  God intervened in that condition and exhibited His love by sending Jesus to die for our sins.  Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

3.  We realize that our only hope for forgiveness is found in Christ alone.  Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

4.  God shows us there must be life change and repentance to receive it.  Romans 10:9-10 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

5.  God offers this salvation right now to all who come for it.  Romans 10:13  Whoever will call on the Name of the Lord will be saved.

6.  There is no other option.  Acts 4:12  12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

7.  He gives us power to live a life that is above the world's understanding. John 10:10b - I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  (present tense)

8.  Our minds have changed.  1 Corinthians 2:16 - For who has known the mind of the Lord, that He will instruct Him?  But we have the mind of Christ.

9.   We have the Holy Spirit to show us how to keep living and growing in Christ.  John 14:26  But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

10  Now live it and let God be God in your life.  Ephesians 2:20 - Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the corner stone.

You may feel like you are on an island and that no one is listening.  God is listening and He wants to give you peace, security, and direction.  The peace passes all understanding.  The security is the promise from God that He will never leave you or forsake you.  The direction is God's perfect will for your life.  All of this is found in the Word of God, so read it, and be rescued from the lies this world is trying to get you to follow for your life direction.  God's way is the only way to life and that life is good.

The Pilgrimage continues...

David Warren