Strong Enough to Save

“Be That True?”

The fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean saga (On Stranger Tides) came out in theaters this weekend and I went with a few friends to check it out. There was one particular conversation that struck me during the film, a dialogue between two pirates and a missionary. The daughter of the infamous pirate Blackbeard says to her father: “Every soul can be saved.” Blackbeard turns to the missionary and says sardonically: “Be that true, young cleric?” The missionary, Philip, replies sincerely: “Yes. Though I see you as a bit of a long shot.” 

The Long Shot

I wonder if in our human perspective we mentally react this way towards nonbelievers. Do you ever write off someone as a “long shot?” Or do you ever feel discouraged by a friend whose heart seems so hard against the gospel? Some of Jesus’ listeners once thought about these questions as well. Jesus had just finished speaking with a rich young ruler, who asked how he could have eternal life. Christ strongly addressed the materialism in his heart and the man went sadly away, unable to lay down his love of worldly possessions. Many who were nearby later asked Jesus: “‘Then who can be saved?’ But he said, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God’” (Luke 18:26-27). What encouragement that is! It is God who saves, not us. And there is no one whose sin is “too big” for God to forgive, if they accept Him.

Saul to Paul

One of the greatest examples of this is the apostle Paul’s testimony. Through the power of God Paul wrote most of the New Testament and became an incredible missionary for Christ. But he before he was saved he used to be a persecutor of the Church! In fact, Paul even says: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15, NIV). The Lord used the most unlikely “long shot,” to take the gospel to many nations. Amazing. And do you remember the criminals being crucified next to Jesus? One of them was saved while he was hanging on the cross! And so there is hope, even to the end. 

Encouragement

Brothers and sisters, have great hope. Don’t give up on the “long shot,” for it is God who saves souls, not us. We are merely seed planters and “waterers,” but the Lord makes it grow (1 Corinthians 3:6). Continue to faithfully and lovingly share the gospel and your lives with your friends (1 Thessalonians 2:8), and even in the situation where you can’t see progress: “fix your eyes on the unseen” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Also, check out this great video from Tenth Avenue North’s Matt Donehey. He discusses this topic in his video blog about their song: “Strong Enough to Save.”

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

-Romans 1:16 (NIV)