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Rescued!
Ingrid
Betancourt was abducted by the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC) in February 2002 while she
was campaigning to be President of the nation of
Colombia
.
Yesterday, over 6 years later, she was rescued
from her captors by military spies who tricked the
rebels into handing over Betancourt and 14 other
hostages.
The
daring rescue operation involved months of
intelligence gathering, dozens of helicopters on
standby, and a lot of planning.
The rebels had been led to believe that the
hostages were to be taken by helicopter to supreme
rebel leader Alfonso Cano to discuss a possible
hostage swap.
When the hostages were shoved onto the unmarked
helicopter, their hands bound, even Betancourt
believed they were being transferred to another
guerrilla camp.
The
helicopter crew members, however, were soldiers in
disguise.
As soon as the helicopter was airborne, the
crew members persuaded the rebel soldiers –
including the local commander, alias Cesar, who had
tormented Betancourt for years – to turn over their
pistols, and then they were subdued.
Then
one of the crewmen announced: “We’re
the national army.
You’re free!”
The
helicopter was filled with jubilation.
Betancourt reported: “The helicopter almost
fell from the sky because we were jumping up and down,
yelling, crying, hugging one another.” *
Through
our own wrong choices, you and I have been taken
captive by sin.
Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you,
whoever commits sin is a SLAVE of sin” (John 8:34).
Sin is a harsh master, and it will ultimately
destroy us (Romans 6:23).
But
God planned a monumental rescue mission....
He loved us so much that He sent His son to
rescue us from sin (John 3:16).
Jesus gave His life as ransom so that WE might
be set free (Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:7).
Jesus
has made our freedom from sin possible IF we will
accept His offer on His terms by:
believing in Him
band trusting Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in
repentance (2
Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing
Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized
(immersed) for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38).
When we cooperate with Him through our trusting
obedience, He, in essence, says to us: “I
AM the Son of God.
I have come to your rescue.
You’re free!”
And,
if we will CONTINUE to follow Him faithfully, He will
CONTINUE to cleanse us from sin and lead us to Eternal
Life (1 John 1:7)!
He
is waiting…
Won’t YOU come
aboard and be rescued?
--
David
A. Sargent,
Minister
Church
of Christ at Creekwood
1901
Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
*
Information gleaned from “Freed Hostage Ingrid Betancourt Embraces
Children” by Vivian Sequera, Cesar Garcia, Ian James and Mauricio Diaz
of The Associated Press.
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