We all long for a saviour, someone who will free us from what enslaves us. Apparently, the need for this is so intense that people often strive to find it and get it from almost anything we find. This mighty act of deliverance, the one that we long for, can only be done by our God.
Mighty to save
Our God is indeed mighty to save (see Zephaniah 3:17). He's the only one who can save us completely and perfectly from our enemies. In fact, He's already done His part – by sending His one and only begotten Son to die for us and be resurrected (see John 3:16-17; Romans 5:10). Other than the power of God displayed on the cross, there's no other power that can save us (see Acts 4:12).
Failed alternatives
Since time immemorial, people have been looking for a saviour, all the while either denying, ignoring, or simply avoiding the salvation that is available in Christ Jesus. And no, we can't point our fingers at others, because at one time all of us who are now true believers in Christ know that we did not trust in Him (see Isaiah 53:6, 64:6; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10, 23).
It's all rooted in fear
Many of us put our faith in many things that are of no avail (see Psalm 146:3, 118:8). Brothers and sisters, we have to realise that all of these actions, these clinging to other alternatives, are mere reactions to our fear. We fear death. We fear rejection. We sin, hoping to find some pleasure in this otherwise short life, because we fear judgment. We fear that we might miss the fun and the excitement. The Bible says that God is able to save us from our enemies, and cast away our fears.
1 John 4:16-18 tells us, "We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."
Friends, God's love – shown by Christ on the cross of Calvary – is able to expel and throw away all our fears. If we are in Christ, we have been set free from all that holds us captive. Be encouraged to know that God alone is enough for our deliverance.
"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken." (Psalm 62:1-2)
