Thoughts concerning Ephesians 2, from September 17, 2024.
Throw out the life preserver!
Throw out the life preserver that is the gospel of Christ.
There are people all around us drowning in a sea of sin. Friends, family members, and neighbors. Their arms are flailing in the sea of confusion. Don’t miss the opportunity to throw them the life-giving gospel by your words and deeds.
They are sinking right before your eyes, only occasionally coming up for air. Tell them of the hope that is within you. Tell them of your citizenship in a higher plane. Tell them of the kingdom of the Almighty God. Tell them of the grace that will keep us afloat in this life.
Not only that, it will carry us across the cold and icy river into the next life. A life and existence where there is no strife, no tears, no pain, no dying. An eternal life full of bliss.
But they must believe in the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has shown us the life preserver of grace and we are charged with throwing out the unlimited supply of His grace, that whosoever will may come to the knowledge of Him who did not come into the world to condemn it, but came that all might be saved through Him.
Cast the life persevering message out and give your neighbor a chance to latch on to it, to cling to it, to accept it into their arms, to acknowledge and accept Him, Jesus Christ, who came to save, that they may be pulled from the swamp of despondency, hopelessness, and fear.
Then pull with perseverance, through prayer to the living God, hand over hand, inch by inch, out of the depth of the mire. Point them to the Rock where they can securely stand, amidst the sinking sand.
He is the Rock who provides the living water so that they may never thirst again. The Rock of Ages. The Rock who is the only Way, Truth, and Life.
Cast out the life preserver of grace!
Dan Buteau has been married for the last 33 years and is a father of four adult children. He is also a grandfather to five children. He serves as a Pastor at a church in southern Maine. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Math Studies from Granite State University and he is currently a Master’s of Theology student at Liberty University. In addition, Dan served in the United States Marine Corps for four years and is retired from a 25-year career in law enforcement. He has a hunger and thirst for the Word of God and is continuing to obey the calling of his Savior, Jesus Christ, as he carries out the Great Commission.
