FIRST RESPONDERS
I am thankful for “First Responders” – the police, firefighters, Coast Guard, soldiers, sailors, pilots, chaplains, utility workers, heavy equipment operators, construction crews, community volunteers and so many others who drop what they are doing to race forward to ground zero when disaster strikes. They rescue the distressed and run face-on into danger regardless of the cost. They answer the desperate cry, respond to extreme devastation and begin the long process of restoring broken lives and demolished infrastructure. At a moment’s notice they sacrifice sleep, food, energy and sometimes their very lives to go into harm’s way and do everything they can to help the desperate. Amidst the chaos of an all-out emergency, first responders race against time to save lives, fight back the forces of nature and minister unimagined compassion with physical and often spiritual care. We are so grateful for the special people who we call First Responders.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
We, who are disciples of Christ, are called to be First Responders as well. We have been commissioned to rescue the perishing, care for the dying and save people from temporal destruction and eternal damnation. This is a spiritual assignment, and it is always before us. If you are one of those First Responders that are mentioned above, I commend you, but regardless of that great calling, all disciples are commissioned officers on God’s assignment team. All of us are ambassadors of heaven and representatives of the greatest rescue initiative on the planet. Without First Responders, the world would be lost.
It begins at the moment of your salvation. Immediately, even without any preparation on your part, you are on assignment. You may think you are not qualified but this is on-the-job training. The Holy Spirit is at work in you to rescue and help people. The love of God grows in you and in many surprising ways you find yourself supporting, strengthening and helping others.
Faith emerges and you begin to pray for those in need. Opportunities rise and your kindness leads to compassion and sacrifice. You think of others more than yourself and discover great joy in extending a helping hand. Something fantastic is happening. It seems you were made for this. Serving, caring, giving, encouraging and assisting others becomes the focus of your life. You have become a First Responder.
As you listen to the Holy Spirit your skill at being a First Responder increases. People appreciate you and you find increased grace to help them in difficult situations. You are now a minister and, as a First Responder, you are being equipped with fresh insight, kindness and authority.
TWO GREAT ASSIGNMENTS
A spiritual First Responder has two assignments: They rescue and they restore. We read, “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it” Eze. 22:30.
In this Scripture, God is looking for someone to stand in the gap. That means being available to rescue. He is also looking for someone to build up the wall. That is restoration. The chapter before this verse reveals the catastrophic sin that was prevalent in Jerusalem at that time. The hurt and abuse caused by wicked people was so horrific and perverse that God had to judge the city. He was going to destroy it and bring the chaos to an end. Children were sexually violated, the poor were being crushed, corruption was everywhere, sin was extreme and the suffering it brought to individuals and families was widespread.
Before judgment fell, however, God searched for a First Responder. He looked for a person, a hero, a special disciple who could carry out a rescue mission. That person would have to stand in the gap and build up the wall. They would rescue the fallen and restore the wall of protection over the people.
RESCUE THE FALLEN
The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death” Rom. 6:23. The greater the sin, the greater the darkness of death. Spiritual and physical death can come quickly or slowly. This work of death is real, and it is devastating. Furthermore, it is at work in society all around us.
Arrogant pride, addictions and lusts of all kinds and the terrifying abuse of the innocent, are sins of selfishness. They always destroy an individual and hurt many others who are around them. When these sins become a lifestyle they bring enormous pain and great devastation. The horror inflicted by these sins is as destructive as a hurricane or a tornado. They put people in a spiritual tomb while they are still breathing. Those in that spiritual tomb experience the wages of sin caused by themselves or by others. They have become the fallen. Only a miracle can rescue them.
First Responders are assigned to rescue the fallen. They pull people out of the ditch, give them healing medicine and carry them until they can stand and breathe the fresh air once again. This is a spiritual ministry and the medicine is prayer, deliverance, compassion and love. This requires the work of salvation through Jesus Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit for healing, enduring hope and ongoing happiness.
RESTORING THE WALL
Rescue is not our only task. The other assignment of a First Responder is to build up the wall that has been broken down in people’s lives and in the community. This is a process of reformation. We reform people, families, institutions, and infrastructure to provide protection, prosperity and godly purpose so that those who have fallen will have a better future. What good is it to only pull people out of an earthquake if we do not help them remake their lives?
PREVENTION AND PROMOTION
Spiritual First Responders have yet a third task. They follow the footsteps of Jesus by training others to be good disciples. They encourage the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. This helps those in training to steer around the pitfalls of sin and puts them on the path of greatness.
First Responders see ahead of the game. They encourage the weak and the young by honoring their godly efforts. They train those they are helping by giving them opportunity to serve. They carry those in training when they are weak, or when they stumble so they can recover and then excel. They lead by example, giving generously and receiving others into fellowship, loving and blessing wherever they can. They make sure to promote those around them to higher levels of purpose. This is the prevention and promotion work of First Responders. It produces the wisdom that comes from above.
We pray our monthly teaching
devotional empowers & inspires you
to live a supernatural Christian life.
DR. PETER WYNS
Founder & President
Christian for Messiah Ministries
Pastor at Antioch International Church
Instructions in Righteousness is produced by “Christians for Messiah Ministries” (CFM). Dr. Peter Wyns is the President of CFM and the Head Pastor of Antioch International Church. He has served as a pastor for 54 years and ministered in more than 45 nations.
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