Wednesday, December 30, 2009
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Somehow the driver lost control on a small California bridge. In an instant, the car with a family of four in it catapulted through the railing and into the water. Immediately, that car began to disappear beneath the water. Well, there were just frantic moments that followed, and the two parents emerged from the car, swimming to the top. Mom had actually been able to free one of her children and help her get out, as well. But their little boy was trapped in the car at the bottom. Meanwhile, a few passersby had gathered on the bridge above, and one man, who heard the mother's screams for help for her son, dove from the bridge and into the water. A nurse was actually one of those who happened to be on the bridge that day. Realizing that the boy was going to need immediate CPR if he was rescued, she shook off her fear and she also plunged into the water. After a short time, the man surfaced - carrying that boy with him. The nurse immediately began working on him, right there in the water. His life was saved that day by two people who certainly had not planned to rescue anyone that day.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "In a Position to Save a Life."
It was really moving to see the mother of that rescued little boy tearfully trying to put her gratitude into words. Someone had cared enough to take the risks to save a life just because he happened to be in the right place at the right time to make the difference.
If you belong to Jesus Christ, I hope you see yourself in that picture. Like that man on the bridge, you're in a position to do something about a person who's dying - spiritually dying, that is. The Bible describes people without Christ as "those being led away to death" (Proverbs 24:11). And it adds a command, "Rescue those who are being led away to death." Who should rescue them? Whoever is in a position to reach them. The Bible uses another example to describe those we know who don't know our Savior. It says they are "in the fire." And, again, it gives a command. "Snatch others from the fire and save them" (Jude 23). Don't just let them die without a chance. Do something to rescue them.
As you think about the people at work today, at school, in your neighborhood, in your family or the place you shop or recreate - among those people must be those who have probably never been to the cross of Jesus to have their sins forgiven. The only One who can forgive their sins is the One who died to pay for them. And if they die with their sins unforgiven, they have no chance of getting into God's heaven. You know that. You know Christ. You know them - which means you're responsible.
Living a Christ-honoring life before them is important, but it's not enough. You have to tell them about Jesus' death for their sins. They won't guess that because you're a nice person. The reason you haven't told them so far, is probably your fear. Jesus said in Mark 10:45, our word for today from the Word of God, "Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Our fears are all about "me" - what might happen to me if I tell them about Jesus; how I might mess it up. But Jesus abandoned Himself to save us. Rescuers always do that. They have a greater fear than what might happen to them. It's what might happen to the dying person if they don't try to rescue them.
Years ago, God spoke to Moses about His enslaved people and He said, "I have come down to rescue them...I am sending you" (Exodus 3:8, 10). He's saying that to you about the lost people within your reach. It's no accident you are where you are, who you are, doing what you do. God has put you in a position to help save some lives and help some people be in heaven with you. It's the most important thing you have to do; the most important difference you can possibly make with the rest of your life.