“The greatest danger occurs at the moment of victory.” –Napoleon
The RNLI Flood Rescue Team
The hardest man to rescue is the one who thinks he’s safe.
We’ve all seen that ending in a movie. Oblivious to the danger (but we see it coming), they lose it all because they think they’re safe, lulled into a false sense of security. Convinced of victory, as Napoleon warns, they lose. If you think you’re spiritually safe, read no further. But…if you want assurance for that happy Hollywood ending, then consider these four warnings.
My favorite Hollywood happy ending
You think you’re safe because of your religion. “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God (John 3:1-15).” Jesus gave only one requirement that had nothing to do with denominations. Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious expert with the “right” religion, that you must be born again. He did not say be Jewish, Catholic, or Protestant. He said you must be born again. So what is born again exactly?
We are born physically, but cursed with a spiritual cancer called Sin. Sin is fatal (we die) and it is only radiated if you are made again, recreated by a second spiritual birth, when you choose to let Him come inside your body. He will only invade upon invitation, if you vacate the throne in your heart, which is repentance (you acknowledge your sin, your helplessness, and give up your will to Him).
If not, then the second death is your ending, which is your choice too, to pay for your sins yourself (Hell). His love is never forced, but He must be your Lord (Luke 6:46).
The most perfect sculpture still flawed
You think you’re safe because you’re not that bad. “If you keep the whole Law, and break just one commandment, you are guilty of all (James 2:10).” If you are trusting in you…your efforts, your religion, your denomination, your ancestry, then Jesus died for nothing (Galatians 2:21). God’s standard is perfection, not just being good enough because just one sin means you’re guilty of all, imperfect. You trying is impossible because you are a spiritual corpse, dead in your un-radiated sin (Ephesians 2:1).
Jump up and down trust
You think you’re safe because you believe. “Even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19).” The demons saw Him, so what’s the difference in your faith and their faith? They are not going to Heaven. If your belief is not a saving, eternal faith, and just head knowledge, an intellectual assent, then you’re not safe. Believing is not trusting. You can believe a rickety old bridge over a canyon will hold you up, but running out on it is genuine trust.
CS and Cleese
John Cleese’s Screwtape Letters
You think you’re safe because you asked for forgiveness. Forgiveness does not happen because you ask for it. Forgiveness is on His terms. You must come to Him broken; sorry, and admitting your good works are useless. Ask Him to come inside and save you because of His sacrifice in your place (John 1:12-13). Four warnings and forewarned. A happy ending is assured to all who give up (John 5:24). Surrender your crown to the One who loved you so much, He died in your place. Be saved or be safe.
A rescued Bob Dylan
YHM 