Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin

His family had been told that there was no chance of finding their missing
boy alive. His body had not yet been discovered after five days of
searching in the rubble of the building in which he had been working when
the earthquake struck eastern Turkey. The building was one of about 2,000
that were leveled by the quake, killing at last 573 people and injuring
approximately 2,500 others.

Thirteen-year-old Ferhat Tokay was working in a shoe shop on the ground
floor of the building in Ercis, Turkey, when the 7.2 magnitude quake
occurred. He was instantly trapped, and despite his efforts was unable to
free himself.

But soon after rescue workers had sent his uncle and other relatives away to
get some rest with no glimmer of hope, they discovered Tokay - alive! The
workers were able to pull him from the rubble without injury.

A state-run news agency reported that Tokay survived, despite having no
food, by drinking rainwater that seeped through cracks in the wreckage
around him. While trapped, he was able to peer through a tiny gap in the
wreckage to see when it was day or night. He and his family were unsure if
he would ever see the light of day again. But he was rescued! *

Tokay's entrapment in the rubble illustrates our own bondage to sin. Jesus
said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin"
(John 8:34; see also Romans 6:16). In sin, we are ALL (Romans 3:23) under
its dominion and doomed for destruction (see Matthew 7:13-14). And, we
can't dig our way out! We are trapped!

But JESUS came to our rescue! By paying the price for our sins, He is able
to pull us from the wreckage and ruin of sin (Ephesians 1:7) - IF we will
accept His offer!

Jesus will save those who place their faith and trust in Him (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him
before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).

Trapped in the rubble of sin, don't despair! Jesus has come to rescue you!
Accept His offer of salvation, and you can be freed from sin.

Won't YOU?

David A. Sargent