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Wednesday, October 19, 2005

"Snatching From The Fire"

"Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh" (Jude 1:22,23).

I was in a meeting recently with the fire chief of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As we were enjoying conversation a friend of mine asked if I knew the fireman's verse and I immediately recalled the daily verse.  Brooksyne and I are personally and experientially thankful for the dedicated work of firefighters. About 15 years ago we had a situation due to a furnace malfunction that filled our home with smoke while we were sleeping. After frantically placing a 911 call the extremely dedicated volunteer fire department in that community arrived within minutes and showed great compassion as they helped us overcome the situation.

The apostle Jude uses a vivid metaphor in describing the critical mission the church and every true believer has.   The call to "snatch others from the fire and save them" is an ongoing description of the Great Commission.  We know, of course, that ultimately God does the saving, but He has called all of us to participate in the mission. 

The challenge to receive Christ may come through an altar call to a group of people. It might come from a caring brother or sister to an individual who needs Christ.  These are examples of only two of the many ways we seek to snatch unbelievers from the fire.  We are all involved in the process.  In Jude's descriptive phrase the emphasis is on the urgency and seriousness with which we are to take up our call. 

Today let us remember God's call in our lives as followers of Christ.  All around us there are people who need the Lord; people who need to be snatched from the fire and saved from eternal damnation.

Everyday they pass me by, I can see it in their eyes;
Empty people filled with care, headed who knows where.
On they go through private pain, living fear to fear;
Laughter hides the silent cries, only Jesus hears.

We are called to take His light,
to a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost,
for sharing life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel all the grief they bear.
They must hear the words of life only we can share.

People need the Lord, People need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams He's the open door.
People need the Lord, People need the Lord.
When will we realize people need the Lord. *


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer – Jesus, I confess that I am often impatient and judgmental toward those who reject You.   I've come to realize that I can't live without You but the unbeliever feels he has no need for You.  It seems we're worlds apart in our outlook.  You've used this passage from Jude to speak to my heart about applying Your mercy to those who are not of the faith. They do not see through eyes of faith, but rather they're blinded to spiritual truth.  Jude also reminds me that while I must embrace the sinner in mercy and love, I must never embrace the sin. The allurement to sin is always before me, so I ask You to keep me safe as I reach out to those who are in its entrapment.  Jesus, may I not be complacent; instead would You burden my heart with the critical need of reaching those who doubt with the Gospel message of salvation.  In Your Name, I pray.  Amen.

I am so grateful for the many ministries that advance the cause of Christ. Here is a ministry called Firefighters for Christ that encourages Christian firefighters.

* "People Need The Lord" McHugh, Phill / Nelson, Greg © 1983 Shepherd's Fold Music (BMI) / River Oaks Music Company (Divs. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 2005306  Here's an audio track of this song I found on the website of the Orange County Worship Fellowship

 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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