SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1344

“No Escape”

Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? – Hebrews 2:1-3

Two of my favorite escape themed movies are Papillon and The Great Escape starring Steve McQueen. There are numerous other movies, and they all share a common thread highlighting man’s tenacity and ingenuity to be free from captivity. It is in our nature to be free. There are some situations however where we need help. We need someone to rescue us and set us free from the law of sin and death. We need a Savior.

No Escape From Death – Our physical death is an inescapable fact. As healthy as we strive to be, we cannot cheat the inevitable outcome. We can live forever, however through faith in Jesus.

No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. – Ecclesiastes 8:8

What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? – Psalm 89:48

Everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? – John 11:26

Held Captive by Our Sin Nature – How many of us have repeatedly tried and failed to break a sin habit or an addiction? There is no escape from our sin nature except through Jesus.

I am of the flesh, sold under sin… For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing… but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members… Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  – Romans 7:14-19,23-25

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – Corinthians 10:13

No Escape From the Truth of God’s Word – Do not be captivated by the easy way of the world and its false doctrines. The enemy of your soul wants to hold you captive, and he uses lies and deceit to offer false alternate paths to eternal life. Jesus is the only way.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ; For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. – Colossians 2:8; Matthew 24:24

Set Free by Jesus – We cannot escape the reality of our mortality, nor can we escape the reality of our depravity. We need a Savior and Jesus is His Name. There is no other Name by which we can be saved.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me… to proclaim liberty to the captives… to set at liberty those who are oppressed – Luke 4:18

Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – John 14:6, 8:36

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. – 1 John 5:11

There is No Escape from that Final Day – We tend to go about our daily lives, living for the things of this world, oblivious to the fact that our next heartbeat is not guaranteed or that the Day of the Lord can come suddenly. For those who have accepted the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus this day is anticipated and not feared because the way of escape has been purchased by Jesus’ death and resurrection.

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them… and they will not escape; But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; Luke 21:36

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:10

Jesus Chose to not Escape the Cross – In His love for us, Jesus paid the price for our sin. Because of His horrific suffering, death, and glorious resurrection, through faith in Him we can be set free from captivity to the law of sin and death.

Behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. – Revelation 1:18

We are entering Passion Week, the week before Easter where we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Let us remember the sacrifice Jesus made to provide for us a means of escape from sin and the death of eternal separation from God. Let us rejoice and thank Him for His glorious rescue.

Choose the Way of Escape Through Jesus – If you have not yet decided to accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus, now is the time. Jesus is speaking to you now through His Holy Spirit, The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. – Revelation 22:17

See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven; For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Hebrews 12:25; Romans 10:13

Pray this aloud: “Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins and surrender my life. Wash me clean. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That he died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day for my Victory, I believe that in my heart and make confession with my mouth, that Jesus is my Savior and Lord. I receive eternal life, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Welcome to the Family of God and celebrate Easter with significantly greater depth of meaning and joy!