This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
The Lord … is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish.
1 Timothy 1, 15; 2 Peter 3, 9.
Sitting in my inflatable dinghy, being tossed by the waves, I can enjoy the sea, the sun and my liberty, while the crowds cram together on the beach. Suddenly several people stand up on the beach and come forward towards me making wild signs. The waves are indeed increasing in size, and soon I am the prey of the current. I cry out for help, but the noise of the sea stifles my voice. I am lost!
The life saving team has spotted. Judging the situation to be serious, they alarm the helicopter. While it is hovering over my head, a man descends, suspended on the end of a rope, grasps me and harnesses me. Ten minutes later I am safe on the beach.
What stupid inattention! Without realizing it, I was about to die from drowning – and it would have been my own fault!
Dear friend, isn’t the stream of life sweeping you along towards shipwreck, far from God for ever? Are you aware of your situation? In my boat I was being borne along unrelentingly. There was no escape for me, but deliverance came from outside. Someone came to save me. It is no different in the spiritual sphere. We cannot resist evil. But salvation comes from Another, from above. God wishes to save us. He has sent a Saviour, His Son, Jesus Christ. Let Him save you. Take hold of the lifeline!