Our Rescue

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14, NASB

I spend one morning a week volunteering at our local crisis pregnancy center.  Over the past seven years, I have had the honor of spending time with hundreds of women and sharing with them the hope we have in Jesus.  One of my favorite parts of what I do is the privilege of sharing the gospel message with people who are hurting, hopeless, and desperate.  The beautiful truth of our rescue from the “domain of darkness” is one I never tire of repeating.

Yesterday, Julie reminded us of the sweet truth of our Rescuer’s love for us.  Today, my heart is to share with you what our rescue involves … what salvation gives us.

In John 3, Jesus explains to Nicodemus that we must be born again.  Not literally, of course, though Nicodemus did require some further explanation.   It’s our spirit that must be reborn … that part of us that was created for fellowship with God, in His image.  Our spirit that rejected God and chose self in the Garden … and every day since.  Our spirit is reconciled to Him through salvation.  And through that rescue, through salvation, we are changed.

Salvation gives us new life.

“What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons.  They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone.  A new life has begun!”  ~ 2 corinthians 5:17 NLT

Salvation gives us new certainty.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate from his love.  Death can’t and life can’t.  The angels can’t and the demons can’t.  Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.  Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  ~ Romans 8:38-39 NLT

Salvation gives us new direction.

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people.  You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, his very own possession.  This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”  ~ 1 Peter 2:9 NLT

Have you experienced that rescue? Paul explains in Romans quite simply what this salvation requires:  “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (10:9).  Confession is that awareness of your need for rescue, for a Savior, for Jesus.  Belief is the understanding that He is the only way, nothing you could ever do would be enough.    And so salvation results from this: Confession of your need and belief that He is the only Need-Meeter.

Maybe you know Him, you belong to Him … Today, won’t you praise Him for rescuing you?

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But maybe you don’t … Maybe you are unsure what all this means or uncertain of His love for you.  Perhaps you want to know more.   We’d love to share with you about this great Rescue that we have experienced. Email us … ScriptureDig {at} comcast {dot} net.

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Recommended Listening:

Jesus, Messiah {At this point in my life, in the midst of chaos and change, I find myself clinging to the beautiful truth that HE IS “Jesus Messiah, the Name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel.  The RESCUE for sinners, the Ransom from Heaven, Jesus Messiah, Lord of All.”}

Rescue {Another sweet song of promise … “I need You, Jesus, to come to my RESCUE! Where else can I go?  There’s NO OTHER NAME by which I am SAVED, capture me with GRACE!”}

Image via flickr