Friday, December 4, 2009

Rescued From What & Restored To What?

Remember that you were rescued and be grateful! The Passover is set aside for the Jews to remember their deliverance from slavery and oppression. It’s a time to be thankful. Communion or the Eucharist is set aside for Christians to remember what Christ has done to rescue/save us. But what are we saved from? I know the Bible says that we’re saved from the penalty of sin. We’re rescued from guilt and condemnation. I am grateful for that but at the same time I’ve never done any “really bad” sinning. I grew up going to church. I became a follower of Jesus when I was young. I have been following Jesus fairly faithfully ever since. I’ve never been oppressed like the Jews and I’ve never had to be forgiven for anything bad so what have I been rescued from? What do I have to be grateful for?
The word saved carries the meaning – to be rescued/saved from our sins & restored to wholeness. The name Jesus means – the God who rescues and restores.
Rescued from what and restored to what?
The following is a list of the things I’ve realized that I’ve been rescued from.
1. I’ve been rescued from condemnation for my sins. I’ve been forgiven for “missing the mark. I live guilt free.
2. I’ve been rescued from a wasted life - From a stolen and destroyed life.
3. I’ve been rescued from hopelessness. I have hope for the future and eternity.
4. I’ve been rescued from my brokenness – I’m less broken and I am moving towards wholeness.
5. I’ve been rescued from self-absorption, selfishness & self-centeredness.
6. I’ve been rescued from the bondage of religious legalism.
7. I’ve been rescued from having no compassion and no concern for justice in the world.
8. I’ve been rescued from my hunger for something eternal.
9. I’ve been rescued from feeling alienated from God, unacceptable to God, and unwelcome by God.
10. I’ve been rescued from being absorbed by the culture of the empire – greed – power- violence.
What would you add to this list?