Abandon Ship!
Part One
As veteran sailors can tell you, a star-filled sky over a calm sea can provide observers with a glimpse of the magnitude of God’s Creation, when seen from this unique advantage point.
At the same time, there can be few things more terrifying than being caught in a storm at sea.
The same could be said for voyagers on the Sea of Life.
On the Sea of life, there are many wholesome things to observe, experience, and to appreciate while on this voyage (1), but one can easily find himself in the midst of a Matt 7: 27 storm, threatening the safety and well-being of both body and soul.
The more of an interest you develop in the things of God, the less of an interest you will have in much of the distractions that this world, and the attractions that the James 2:10 boat, have to offer.
While never endorsing irresponsible or reckless behavior, Jesus taught His followers, “…do not be afraid of those (people or things) that kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear (respect) Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell (Matt. 10: 28 NASB20020 parenthesis mine).”
We do not all commit the same sin(s), but that doesn’t make any one of us any better in God’s eyes than anyone else. Scripture (2) teaches that we are all (3) in the same boat, and in EQUAL need (4) of being rescued BEFORE the boat goes down into what the Bible calls the Lake of Fire (5).
God the Father (6) draws each one of us to Him and calls us to abandon this James 2: 10 ship. He desires that all men be saved (7), but sad to say, the Matt. 7:13 majority will go down with the ship, as a result of the John 3: 18 choice they make.
Have you been born-again?
Perhaps as you read this article, it may be your time hear the inaudible voice of God calling, as He provides for you, the opportunity to be saved. No one knows when he or she has received his or her last opportunity to do so.
“For (because) God so loved (the people of) the world, that He gave (as an atoning sacrifice) His only Son, so that everyone who BELIEVES in Him (who He is and what He did) will not *perish, but have eternal life John 3: 16 NASB2020 parentheses mine).”
The English word *perish in John 3: 16 NASB2020 is a translation of the New Testament Greek word “a-p-o-l-l-y-m-i,” found in the original transcripts that became what we now know as New Testament Scripture. In this verse, a-p-o-l-l-y-m-I does not mean to be eliminated, but rather to “lose out.” In this case, to lose out on receiving eternal life.
“…the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed…(John 3:18 NASB20200.”
Every soul has never-ending, ever-lasting life, having been created in the never-ending likeness (8) of God.
The ongoing existence of the soul after departing the body is NOT a matter of IF, but a matter of WHERE and HOW every soul WILL experience Eternity future, be it with, or without God.
Man-made religion, with all of its traditions (9), has developed a schedule of activities “from the cradle to the grave,” but are no replacement for having placed one’s trust and confidence in what God has done to provide an individual with the means to obtain and retain salvation.
Many such traditions are held in high esteem by Man, but are detestable in the sight of God, if and when, they are perceived to be necessary additives to the finished Work that only God can perform (10) !
Only God can forgive sin (11). Only God can “seal” (mark for identification) a soul as a child of God (12). Only God can regenerate our dead spirit (13). Only God can provide and sustain the gift of eternal life (14) . Only God can cause spiritual growth (15) in the life of an advancing disciple.
One is forever saved by making a one-time decision to believe when presented with the unadulterated Gospel Message encapsulated in John 3: 16, 18.
Jesus provided us with the one and only means to abandon the James 2:10 boat, and then to board the one and only lifeboat (16).
Our opportunity to do so is in view when we are presented with the unadulterated Gospel Message, encapsulated in John 3: 16, 18. This opportunity can take place at any time, in any place, under any circumstances, through any means of communication that God chooses to use to get through to each one of us.
Know that presenting, or being presented with, the unadulterated Gospel Message is serious business. Once presented, the “nobody ever told me” excuse has been removed from the table!
Once aboard the lifeboat, one has been permanently saved and delivered from going down into the lake of fire with all of the unbelievers when the Rev. 20: 15 event takes place.
However, it is not God’s desire or plan for us to just float around in the comforting assurance of our life boats, waiting for the Rapture (17), or for our individually appointed time for our earthly departure to take place.
Human viewpoint and divine viewpoint have very different ideas about what it means to “make the best of the time” we have before departing this world.
After providing us with the lifeboat of salvation, He sends another boat by, with an invitation for us to climb aboard.
This other boat is not for us to complete the rescue operation, nor is it the means for us to do anything to remain eternally secure. One can never be any more or any less saved or secure than what one became on the day one was born again.
This new boat is what theologians call the post (after) salvation life of discipleship.
End of Part One
3John 1: 3 (2) James 2:10 (3) Rom, 3: 23 (4) John 3: 5, 7 (5) Rev. 20: 15 (6) John 6: 44 (7) 1Tim.2: 4 (8) Gen. 1: 26 (9) Matt. 5: 9 (10) Luke 16: 15 (11) Mark 2:7 (12) Eph. 4: 30 (13) Titus 3: 5 (14) Eph. 2: 8 (15) 1Cor. 3: 6-8 (16) John 14: 6/1John 2: 2 (17) 1Thess. 4: 16, 17