by Bryan Gibson (from 2001)
Since the terrorists’ attacks on September 11, many brave men and women have been involved in the rescue and recovery effort. We have praised these men and women for their tireless efforts, and rightly so.
All this talk about rescue and recovery got me to thinking. Christians are involved in a never-ending rescue and recovery effort. There will always be souls that need to be rescued. There will always be those who need help recovering from the damage done to their souls by sin. Consider the following passages:
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
“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).
The Lord needs more manpower in this great rescue and recovery effort. Can He count on you?