PULL THEM TO SAFETY!
Two young mountain climbers were attempting to negotiate a sheer cliff face on the Teton mountain range in Wyoming. Near disaster occurred, however, when the lead climber placed his hand into a crevasse and felt a sharp, jagged stone cut into his fingers. Losing his grip, he promptly fell to the end of his safety line, but a carabiner (special metal clip) then failed, leaving him dangling upside down, disorientated and helpless. Fortunately, his partner and close friend (“Two ARE better than one” – Ecc. 4:9) swiftly came to his friend’s aid, shouting words of encouragement and reassurance. Although the rescue required hours of careful, grueling work, he finally pulled his grateful companion to safety.
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As Christians, there are times when you and I are needed to pull fellow Christians from the perilous cliffs of willful sin, spiritual stupor or unfaithfulness. At this moment we have struggling brothers and sisters that desperately need our attention, concern and encouragement to restore them to the safety of God’s fold. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that this is an important part of our service to God.
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).
“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
God’s word also reminds us to “look out not only for (your) own interests, but also for the interests of others (Php 2:4).
So, let’s begin contacting members who have not attended our services for some time (or attend infrequently). They may have lost their spiritual grip, and are helplessly dangling between God and the devil. Remind them that we love them, care for them, and desire to be in regular fellowship again.
Who knows what might result if each of us makes just one call, sends one text, or makes one visit of encouragement to those struggling souls who are waiting to be pulled to safety?
Live for the Lord in 2024!
Dennis
Two young mountain climbers were attempting to negotiate a sheer cliff face on the Teton mountain range in Wyoming. Near disaster occurred, however, when the lead climber placed his hand into a crevasse and felt a sharp, jagged stone cut into his fingers. Losing his grip, he promptly fell to the end of his safety line, but a carabiner (special metal clip) then failed, leaving him dangling upside down, disorientated and helpless. Fortunately, his partner and close friend (“Two ARE better than one” – Ecc. 4:9) swiftly came to his friend’s aid, shouting words of encouragement and reassurance. Although the rescue required hours of careful, grueling work, he finally pulled his grateful companion to safety.
****************************************************************************************
As Christians, there are times when you and I are needed to pull fellow Christians from the perilous cliffs of willful sin, spiritual stupor or unfaithfulness. At this moment we have struggling brothers and sisters that desperately need our attention, concern and encouragement to restore them to the safety of God’s fold. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that this is an important part of our service to God.
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).
“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
God’s word also reminds us to “look out not only for (your) own interests, but also for the interests of others (Php 2:4).
So, let’s begin contacting members who have not attended our services for some time (or attend infrequently). They may have lost their spiritual grip, and are helplessly dangling between God and the devil. Remind them that we love them, care for them, and desire to be in regular fellowship again.
Who knows what might result if each of us makes just one call, sends one text, or makes one visit of encouragement to those struggling souls who are waiting to be pulled to safety?
Live for the Lord in 2024!
Dennis
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