Can't Thank Enough!

When someone's life is endangered and they have been RESCUED by another, they usually have a desire to get to know their RESCUER. And when they have that opportunity, quite often they cannot thank them enough for having saved their life. Having been saved from drowning, having been resuscitated, having been carried out of a burning building, having been removed from a crashed vehicle seconds before it burst into flames, having been freed from the rubble of a collapsed building, etc. -- oh, how grateful the RESCUED person is. The words "Thank you" just don't seem adequate, though they are said again and again with every ounce of sincerity that is possible.

The sad thing is that too many do not realize how much they are in need of being RESCUED. There is a sense in which they are their own worst enemy because they refuse to acknowledge their need for Christ and the atoning power of His blood. They are drowning in sin, their world is collapsing around them, and they need the new life of Christ breathed into them. Yes, they need spiritual resuscitation!

As Paul acknowledged the great dilemma of the flesh in pulling away from God, He stated. . .

"(24) Wretched man that I am! WHO WILL DELIVER ME FROM THIS BODY OF DEATH? (25) THANKS BE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." ( Romans 7:24-25 ESV)

The Greek word "rhuomai" can be translated "to rescue from, to preserve from, and so, to deliver". [source: W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of N.T. Words] Yes, Paul thanked God and his life seems to have clearly indicated by word and deed that he could not thank God enough! He knew full well what he had been RESCUED from and how much he needed that RESCUE. He could not do it himself and neither can we. Only in Christ can we be DELIVERED from the powers of the flesh that wage war against us.

"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ Our Lord" that we have been RESCUED and "have passed from death to life." ( John 5:24) May we continue striving to know our RESCUER more and more as we aim to live in a manner that reveals our sincerest thanks for the great deliverance we have received in Christ.

Have a great day THANKING GOD WITH THE LIFE HE HAS GIVEN!
Carl

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