Jesus Rescues
Earthquakes occurring on May 19, 1948, allegedly dislodged Noah’s Ark near Mt. Ararat. Rick Renner shares recent testing and evidence for the ark’s authenticity in Fallen Angels, Giants, Monsters, and the World Before the Flood. Noah’s ancestors encountered an increasingly wicked world which finally culminated in the genetic corruption of both humans and animals (Genesis 5:1-6:13). These same wicked conditions will be repeated at the end of the age (Luke 17:26-28).
Three Warnings About the Offer of Salvation Found in Jesus:
Don’t
“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” —Hebrews 2:1
Like a ship that isn’t anchored, there is danger with a Christian who is merely drifting along thru life. Relationships need continual attention, which is also true of our relationship with the Lord.
“Wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” —II Thessalonians 2:10-11
Americans are increasingly pro-abortion, pro-transgender, pro-pot, and anti-Israel, all alarming trends. We must cling to the teaching of God’s Word!
Be very careful about who is in your inner-circle of confidantes.
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on it day and night.” —Psalm 1:1-2
Don’t
“For since the message spoken thru angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?” —Hebrews 2:2-3a
“God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved thru water.” —I Peter 3:20
“God rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless.” —II Peter 2:7
“Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night, two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.” —Luke 17:32-34
Ignoring goes beyond drifting, for ignoring is intentional. And transgression (crossing boundaries) goes beyond sin (missing the mark). Transgression is a deeper level of entrapment, which happened in the age of Noah and Lot (Genesis 6:12; 19:4-5). Romans 1:18-32 details the downward spiral from sexual sin to homosexual sin to absolute moral insanity.
Don’t
“This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” —Hebrews 2:3b-4
Don’t assume you are saved, rather confirm it by biblical self-reflection.
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” —I John 5:13
“Whoever says, ‘I know him’, but does not do what he commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” —I John 2:4
Belief and obedience go hand-in-hand, as detailed by J.D. Greear in Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart. There is no ‘eternal security’ for the one who prays to receive Christ and then lives an ungodly lifestyle.
Which is more important: the wedding or the marriage? A wedding is not unimportant for a public profession of vows and promises is essential. But of even greater importance is a consistent lifestyle of marital love, faithfulness, devotion, and service. Asking Jesus into your heart is also essential, but of even greater importance is a consistent lifestyle of faithfulness to the Lord!
Jesus offers you a relationship like that of a loving spouse, a devoted father, and a faithful friend (John 14:2-3, 18; 15:15). There is no doubt he chooses you, but the critical question is whether you choose him! Will you embrace a lifestyle of continual devotion to Jesus?