In the Los Angeles area, the rivers have cement beds which are usually dry. During a heavy rain, these quickly become raging torrents that swiftly flow many miles eventually emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Almost every year, some child playing too near the edge of the water falls in and is carried down stream toward certain death unless someone can rescue him. On one occasion, a brave young man risked his own life to pull a young boy to safety. After the ordeal was over, the young boy smiled weakly and said, “Thanks, mister for saving my life.” The young hero replied, “That’s OK, kid, just make sure your life was worth saving.”
The Lord Jesus Christ did not merely risk his life to save us from certain eternal death, he gave his life. We now have to decide if we are going to live in such a way that our life was worth saving.
By our lifestyle do we show our gratitude to our Lord who suffered and died so that we may live forever? Do we return to play at the water’s edge where it is so easy to slip into the swift current of the world that leads to destruction?
Peter warns us how easy it is to go back and make the same mistakes again. “It is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
These examples describe perfectly the unpleasant but natural instincts of dogs and pigs. From God’s viewpoint our instincts to satisfy unlawful, fleshly lusts are just as disgusting to Him as the habits of dogs and pigs are to us.
Is our life worth saving? Are we crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts or are we continuing to get close to the water’s edge only to be swept again into the strong current of carnal thinking that will carry us to destruction?
The broad way that leads to destruction is filled with those who are catering to the flesh and floating down the river of mortal life. The narrow way that leads to immortal life is up hill and water will not flow that way. It takes work to climb. On the other hand, we can relax and simply float down to death if we are caught in treacherous currents.
How do we keep our distance from the dangerous but seductive river of the world? Paul counsels us saying, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” (If we are tied to an unbeliever we may be pulled into the raging waters of the world). Paul continues by asking us, “For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God” (If we walk with God we won’t be anywhere near the water’s edge).
Paul concludes, “And they shall be my people. Therefore Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean (we are to stay clear away from the filth of the world flowing downstream) And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
If we will follow this advice, we will make our life worth saving. The Lord will be pleased with us when he comes and will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One