04/12/18 RESCUE TOOLS
LOVE AND TRUTH ARE ESSENTIAL IN REACHING AND RESCUING THOSE WHO ARE CAUGHT IN A RIPTIDE OF DECEIT.
The deceived may not realize that they are deceived, which is because they are deceived. In order to rescue those who are being held and pulled away by a spiritual riptide, we must not jump in with the victim and become a victim, and we must not throw bricks at the victim, while screaming out his error in judgment.
The victim needs us to throw him/her the lifeline of restoration and reconciliation, while we stand firmly on LOVE AND TRUTH.
Neither love nor truth, alone will deliver drowning victims. In fact, LOVE WITHOUT TRUTH is like throwing an anchor to a person being overcome by the waves of darkness, and TRUTH WITHOUT LOVE is like throwing bricks to a victim who is gasping for breath and being carried to destruction.
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
