RESCUE THE PERISHING!

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

RESCUE THE PERISHING!

John 3:14-17

¶ 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

¶ 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

           There is an old hymn with a missionary theme that we sing from time to time. It refers to the unbeliever as one who is “perishing.”

Rescue the perishing,

Care for the dying,

Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;

Weep o’er the erring one,

Lift up the fallen,

Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing,

Care for the dying;

Jesus is merciful,

Jesus will save.

           The word “perish” is used in Scripture 120 times in 118 verses. In the New Testament it is generally translated from the Greek word apollumi which means “to destroy fully.” Is that how we see the lost? Do we see them as perishing souls in need of rescue?

           If you are a believer, with steady employment, your job is not your job. No, your job is to rescue the perishing. Your work only provides money for you to live. Paul was a skilled tent maker but his job was winning lost souls.

           Jesus used the same Greek word, aionios, in both verse 15 and 16. In verse 15 it is translated “eternal” and in verse 16 it is translated “everlasting.” The word means “perpetual” and spans the past, present, and future. It is never ending in character, kind, and quality. This is good news!

           The word “saved” in John 3:17 is the Greek word sozo and means “safe, delivered [from harm, danger, and destruction], and preserved.

John 10:28

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Dear Lord, I am safe, delivered, and preserved. Help me to share this good news with those who perish. AMEN