FIERY RESCUE

I Was Just Thinking About – FIERY RESCUE.

Some recent news stories reports include two Policemen risking their lives and limbs to successfully rescue a man trapped in his burning vehicle. Firemen have entered a blazing home and rescued the occupants they could find only to be told there were children somewhere inside. While the blaze was raging near to being an inferno, they risked their own safety and lives to search for those additional occupants. These news stories can be repeated many times over as first responders willingly involve themselves in situations of danger and personal risks. They do so to save lives and to rescue people who are more helpless than not.

In Matthew 13, Jesus had addressed the people gathered about The Parable of the Weeds. After the crowd had dispersed, the disciples asked Jesus what the parable meant. In Matthew 13:41-42, Jesus relates the weeds to the final judgment and stated: “The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” How are we to discern the application of this parable? Are we to relate it to people who have rejected Jesus Christ and His Gospel. Is there – are there – situations where one should back away from the unrepentant wicked and evil person? How should the Biblical Christian apply and implement I Corinthians 5:9-11? Paul stated: "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people… you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. with such a man/person do not even eat."

There is one word of challenge that counsels a Biblical Christian may have to do spiritually that which first-responders do physically. Jude shares an interesting and challenging perspective for one’s approach in an ungodly culture: (Verses 3-5), "I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe…"

(Verses 21-23), "Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”

The ultimate judgment is always God’s. We do need to be discerning how we approach (and who we approach) someone "to snatch them out of the fire." Jesus wants His people to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). No one should allow himself or herself to become detached or indifferent to being all of what Jesus Christ wants His followers to be for Him.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.