06/28/2025
Being true to the Word of God involves dealing gently with those who we come in contact with, especially as we spread the good news of Christ's love and sacrifice. This will be our concentration this morning; how we are to turn the heart of a fallen or failing soul without losing the patient 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 traversing the same sea of sin. As I explored my devotional reading this morningPastor Oswald Chambers attempted to convey this same 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 we look into the eyes of someone who has not yet found Christ, it is important that we not look down on them, but rather across at them... we should remember that we are crossing the same ocean and wanting to reach the same spiritual destination. We should see our faces in theirs, because we too suffer from the same struggle with sin. We should never forget that we are adrift on the same sea. The only difference between them and us is that we have already been mercifully pulled into the lifeboat of redemption by Jesus Christ and the merciful grace of God, and We may now be seasoned deckhands but there was once a time when we too were novices or pollywogs.
Too many would-be survivors have been pushed away by the oars of piety and pride. When a Christian sits haughtily in the lifeboat of Jesus Christ and judges those who are adrift; determining 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 the captain’s will... 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 thought expressed in that document reads as such...
"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 the lives of sinners dearly to the enemy of God? Are we prepared to give our own lives for them as if they were our 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 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 we are to throw a lifeline, and which we will push 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
As rescuers our bold and reassuring reply should be "We are coming!" You see, our job is to deliver the message... to shout out the gospel 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 rescue, your "shout", which is Jesus Christ. I thank you for rescuing me from sin and pray that I will 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 might wish to be pulled from the waters of sin, but guide my rope as I cast it upon the water. Who am I without your Son Jesus but a sinner devoid of 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 safely 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
Here is a link to the United States Coast Guard Creed…
https://i.etsystatic.com/17932528/r/il/e7756e/1585724847/il_fullxfull.1585724847_6jyw.jpg
Rich Forbes