I'm sure you have seen old sailing ships, and maybe even been on some looking around. Only a sailor would know what to do with all the ropes, pulleys, masts, rope-ladders and sails. Here is what happened when sailors had to abandon their sailing ship during a terrible storm. Did the 276 people on board know how to survive the terrible storm?
For two weeks they had been tossed about by gales, and now were lost on the Adriatic Sea. “About midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land … so dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for day¬light.” (verses 27-29.)
God had promised that Paul would be kept safe, and had also promised, in His goodness and mercy, to spare all who were sailing with Paul. (Acts 27:24.)
But the frightened sailors went for the life-boat. Paul warned the centurion, “Unless these men stay with the ship you cannot be saved.” So, “the soldiers cut the ropes that held the life-boat, and let it fall away.” (verses 27-32.) The sailors hadn't much choice now but to stay with Paul in the ship, and hope and trust that God’s promise would come true.
Have YOU realised your great danger in the “storm” you are in? Your sins do not only cause you trouble in this life, but will cause you to sink into Hell forever! (Revelation 20:11-15. Matthew 18:7-9.) Many people do realise this, but convince themselves that their religion is the “life-boat” that can keep them safe! BUT GOD HAS SAID IT WILL NOT! (Romans3:20. Galatians 2:16.)
God has told us how to survive. He promises all who are WITH JESUS will be saved; all who have trusted Jesus to be their only Priest and Saviour. (Hebrews 7:24-25. Romans 3:21-26.)
If you choose to “abandon” Jesus the Saviour, in the hope that someone else, or something else, might save you, “you cannot be saved"! (verse 31. Acts 4:12. John 3:16-19.)
The Mediterranean storm continued. “Just before dawn, Paul urged them all to eat ‘… You need it in order to survive’, he told them. They had not been eating during the days of the storm. (verses 33-34.)
In the same way, those who are trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation are to be encouraged to build up their strength as Christians. But it is NOT food for their stomachs that will make their Christian lives stronger, (1stCorinthians 8:8.), they need to feed their MINDS and their faith by reading and knowing the Word of God, the Holy Bible. (Matthew 4:4. 2ndTimothy 3:12-17. 2ndPeter 3:17-18.)
All those with Paul took his advice on how to survive. They would have to wait until day-light to discover HOW they were going to be saved. Before we find that out, make sure you know how to survive that certain death we all deserve as sinners: you must put your trust in JESUS by asking Him to forgive you and keep you safe. (Ephesians 2:4-10.)
Read Acts chapter 27, verses 25-38.
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