“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh”. Jude 22-23 NIV
We have friends that lost their home in a fire while they were away for the evening. The family was saved but their dogs perished in the fire. I can barely think about it let alone imagine the grief they feel.
The Message Bible puts Proverbs 24:11-12 this way, “Rescue the perishing; don’t hesitate to step in and help. If you say, ‘Hey, that’s none of my business,’ will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know-Someone not impressed with weak excuses”. We can’t always save people or pets from physical fires but we can certainly warn others so they don’t perish in the eternal fires of hell.
Are you concerned for the salvation of others? Do you pray for your friends and loved ones? Do you take the opportunity to tell them Jesus loves them enough to die for them so that they might live eternally or do you look the other way while the fires rage out of control?
I Peter 3:15 tells us to always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you. It is not always easy to witness for Christ but I don’t want to just ride by a burning buulding with people perishing and not try to rescue them from the flames.
Along with the tragic stories of those lost in housefires, the news is full of happy endings where the firefighters have pulled out family pets and their relieved owners. They receive oxygen and burn treatments but they are blessed with their lives.
I want to be a firefighter. I want to rescue the perishing so that no one is lost but all come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:4). Be a hero so no one is lost. Pass on the saving grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior so that others might live.
Just Another Dog Devotion 