When you think of the word “escape”, what comes to mind? Do you think of a fire ladder on the side of a tall building? Do you think of a parachute in a crashing plane? Perhaps you think of a lifeboat on a sinking ship. No matter what scenario we imagine, there’s a sense of urgency.
| This urgency is the same urgency that the Bible uses when talking about sin and death. Because of sin, humans are in a seemingly hopeless position. We desperately need to be saved from sin and its effects, but our sinful nature separates us from the desire to be saved. No matter what we do, we continue to sin and we make sinful choices every day. | “Flee the evil desires of youth.” (2 Timothy 2:22) “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-16) |
So is it actually hopeless or is there a way to escape?
God, because He is good, made a way of escape for us. He sent His son, Jesus, to live on earth and complete this plan of salvation. Jesus, who is fully God, also became fully human. During Jesus’ life, He lived perfectly– obeying His parents, being truthful and humble, and living in a perfect relationship with God. Following God’s will, He died on the cross and took the spiritual death that we deserved. Then, 3 days after He was buried, He rose from the dead, completely defeating death. Jesus now rules at God’s right hand– and has all the authority over death, even our own.
Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
Psalm 68:20
Because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, God now offers forgiveness and salvation to everyone. In the book of Romans, chapter 6 verse 23, it says: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
How can I receive this eternal life?
| Prodigal Son: | Our Response: |
|---|---|
| Luke 15:17: “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!” | I need to turn my back on sin and start walking in the opposite direction, heading toward God for forgiveness. |
| Luke 15:18-19: “I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” | I need to put my faith in Jesus, recognize Him as my personal savior through the sacrifice He made in my place for my sins. I choose to believe that He was crucified, resurrected on the third day, and we are awaiting His glorious second coming, when He will return to make all things right. |
| Luke 15:20, 23, 24 “So he got up and went to his father.But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him…[The father said] Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” | I need to celebrate my new life in Christ by learning about God, continuing to walk away from sin in my life, obeying Him in the small things and the big things, and welcoming others to see God’s way of escape and His gift of eternal life. |
The Bible is clear: the payment for any sin is death, and it’s only through Jesus Christ that we are able to obtain eternal life. This gift is immediate and eternal, and while we embrace it now, we also continue the fight to reject sin throughout our lives.
Recommended Reading: Galatians 2:16, Acts 4:11-12, Psalm 62, Romans 6
This continual process of rejecting sin is called repentance. It’s sometimes a very constant process in our lives. Think now about how you stand before God: Have you surrendered your life to Christ? Do you rely on Him for daily needs or just a “get out of hell” card?
Today, pray for God to reveal areas of sin in your life. Ask God to forgive you and to give you new life. Pray that you will fight the temptation to sin. Pray for help to obey God’s commands. Stay in God’s word and start with just 1 page a day.