Mike Minnix wrote about a harrowing experience that he endured.  He was visiting a friend in North Carolina who was an excellent water skier.  He offered to teach Mike how to ski.  “He took me out to teach me to ski on the water,” writes Mike.  “I finally had enough instruction to try it, so he placed me in the water with the skies pointing upward.  All that kept me up in the water was my life jacket.  Then he gunned the motor and the boat snapped forward, pulling me upright.  It took a couple of tries, but finally I got up and I was skiing – like a pro! – I thought.  Suddenly, the skies shot upward, and I went straight down into the water – way down in the water. I had a serious problem: the life jacket was a bit too large, and it came up around my shoulders, pushing my arms straight up in the air so that I couldn't stay above the water level. I was bobbing up and down in the water.  One moment I was able to breathe and the next my face was totally immersed.  I wondered if I was going to drown.  But then I heard the boat rapidly coming to me. My friend reached down with one arm and pulled me up into the boat. That next breath I took was so special; I'll never forget it. I was saved by the arm of my rescuer. I promise you: when you are sinking, you'll be looking for a strong and steady arm to keep you from sinking.” *

Minnix’s experience teaches us a spiritual truth about how Jesus can save us when we are sinking.  Consider the words of “Love Lifted Me” by James Rowe:

I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me –
Now safe am I.

All sinners are sinking because of their sin, and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  Therefore, all of us need a Savior.

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will keep safely “in His arms” those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Souls in danger, look above,
Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love
Out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea,
Billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be–
Be saved today.
-- James Rowe

Why not accept His offer on His terms?

* Slightly adapted from a sermon by J. Mike Minnix entitled “The Arms of God,” www.pastorlife.com

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org