My wife and children were certified lifeguards. They watched over children at swimming pools, occasionally aiding a child in distress or danger. We have one who watches over us, even we who are older – Yeshua Messiah. We think of our Savior’s work when we came to faith, were baptized or contemplating our entry into heaven. However, a lifesaver’s duty is not complete when we are pulled to the shore. He must watch over our coming and going all along the pilgrims road to the Celestial City.
To the mature Believer or professional minister we may forget. We are knowledgable of the scriptures, even discerning the will of God, we are serving, equipping, guiding or assisting others as they come into and mature within the family of God. Even so, I think we all need saving through our entire lives from the greatest danger and constant threat to our salvation – ourselves. We can learn very early a pretense of holiness. Meaning our secret sins, flaws, weaknesses and transgressions can be quietly and privately forgiven, allowing us to continue following the Lord. Its true that we all sin and forgiveness is like a river washing and cleansing us so we will not become ensnared by the enemy. Yeshua addressed the consequences of continued pretense, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.” (Matthew 23:27) It’s not just a criticism of leaders, rather addresses our common essential need for a Savior to deliver us from our own opposition to God.
I understand Jonah. He was right about God’s mercy and forgiveness, but he forgot that he needed it as much as those to whom God had sent him. “From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry… The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.”
(Jonah 2:2,5-6) Jonah was his own worst enemy, running away from God. If we think our knowledge, albeit right, is more necessary than the presence of God, we are in desperate need of a Savior. I look at our current society’s rush into demonic practice, delusion unseen for thousands of years, public heresy, apostasy, corruption, human slavery, sacrificing babies; then I heard the voice of the Savior reaching out to save me from my own turning away from Him. “But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ ” (Jonah 2:9)
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