Andrew and his teenage nephew John were enjoying a vacation on the beaches of Australia. This was another beautiful day to go swimming. The waves were gentle as John dove into the clear, warm water to enjoy the ocean. Andrew still stood on the beach. He watched as John swam out to where the water was about five feet deep, when suddenly he saw the fin of a shark knifing through the water toward John! He called frantically to John to come in, but John did not hear him. So, Andrew made a running dive into the water in hopes of helping John, even though he knew it could easily mean death for both of them.
His powerful strokes soon brought him to within reach of John, but John had already been badly bitten on his left leg. The shark had disappeared temporarily and Andrew, holding tightly to John, swam as fast as he could for the shore. But the shark appeared again, and this time it went after John’s
right foot.
Andrew pulled and struggled to free John, hoping to save his life. Finally, he was able to beat off the shark with his hands, but not before John’s right foot and ankle were also badly mangled.
John had been conscious through it all, but after Andrew got him to shore he collapsed on the beach. With the help of others who, hearing their cries, had hurried over, John was rushed to the nearest hospital. Although he was badly injured, the surgeons were able to save both his legs and feet.
If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, you are in a danger even worse than John’s! The danger that has a death-hold on each of us is sin. Not only does the Bible tell us we are all sinners, but it also tells what happens to sinners: “The soul that [sins], it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:44Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4)). This death is not just no longer living. If you die in your sins, you will face punishment that never ends.
John could do nothing to save himself from that shark. Andrew was the only person near enough to save him. Andrew was John’s savior in this situation. You and I have been “bitten” by sin. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. We are helpless. But sin can’t take away your life if you will let the Lord Jesus save you. He loves you and will gladly be your Savior, washing away all of your sins and giving you eternal life. “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)). Will you let Him be your Savior?
Messages of God’s Love 11/28/2021