06/28/2023
Being true to the Word of God while dealing gently with those who we come into contact with as we spread the news of Christ's love and sacrifice is of paramount importance. This is our concentration this morning; how to turn the heart of a stubbornly unbelieving individual without losing them in the process.
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
Philippians 3:12 ESV
When we are dealing with a sinner who hasn't accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, the last thing we should do is compromise the Word of God, but we should also remember that we too are sinners and understand that we both sail in the same dilapidated boat... we are both adrift on the same sea of sin. Oswald Chambers attempted to convey this thought when he wrote these words...
"Never water down the Word of God, preach it in its undiluted sternness; there must be unflinching loyalty to the Word of God; but when you come to personal dealing with your fellow men, remember who you are - not a special being made up in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace." - Oswald Chambers
When I look into the eyes of someone who has not yet found Christ, I am not looking down into them, but rather across at them... we are on the same plane. I see my face in his, because I too suffer from the same struggle with sin. I am adrift on the same sea. The only difference between Him and me is that I have been pulled into the lifeboat of Jesus Christ by the merciful grace of God.
Too many have been pushed away by the oars of piety and pride. When a saved person sits haughtily in the lifeboat of Jesus and judges who will come in and who will be pushed away then they are assuming ownership of a vessel that doesn't belong to them and are acting contrary to its purpose... which is to save all those who are lost and in danger of drowning.
The United States Coast Guard has a creed, and the final lines of that document reads like this...
"I shall sell life dearly to an enemy of my country, but give it freely to rescue those in peril.
With God’s help, I shall endeavor to be one of His noblest Works..."
When we, as Christians, sit on the sea of sin, attempting to save souls, are we selling our lives, and the lives of sinners, dearly to the enemy of God? Are we prepared to give our lives for them as if they were our dearest friend? Are we endeavoring to present ourselves as one of God's noblest works?
“"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:12-13 ESV
Jesus didn't come to save those in a sound boat, or the champion swimmers, he came to save those who were most in need... those whose boat was taking on water; those on the verge of drowning in sin. He said as much about Himself in these words...
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."”
Luke 19:10 ESV
And again when He said:
“And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."”
Mark 2:17 ESV
So who are we to judge which souls to throw a rope, and which should be pushed away with the oars? In the language of sea rescue, a trip to sea in an attempt to rescue someone is often called a "shout", because nothing is more demanding than the shout for help,
“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."”
Matthew 14:30 ESV
or the reassuring reply "We are coming!" Our job is to deliver the message... to shout to those in distress, and to allow Jesus to use our voices in reassurance to those in peril... "Come to me!"
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your "shout" which is Jesus Christ. I thank you for my rescue from sin and pray that I never fail to answer your call "To Boats" when one of your children is in need of rescue. Lead me Father as I go forth with your Word on my lips and your lifebuoy in my heart. Holy Father, never let me judge who you wish to be pulled from the waters of sin, but guide my rope as I cast it upon the water. Who am I Lord but a sinner without your grace, and who am I sent to reach but those who need to accept that selfsame grace? Jesus, I thank you for faithfully answering God's will, and giving your life for mine. I thank you for hearing my call of distress, even before it left my lips. Now, as I sit safe in your boat, help me to call out to others still in need.... let me give the shout as you did to Peter, "Come!"
“He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.”
Matthew 14:29 ESV
Rich Forbes