“All Escaped Safely” (Acts 27)

“And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape.  But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land” (vs42-44).

If we do what God says, then we’ll escape safely.  He uses faith in His promises, not only predestining us, but also preaching to us the gospel truth that we act upon.  Paul said, “For there stood by me this night an angel; of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.  However, we must fall upon on a certain island” (vs23-26).

He was comforted because he believed God, and he acted upon it, as did his shipmates. We read, “And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the lifeboat into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the front of the ship, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, ‘Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.’ Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the lifeboat and let it fall off (vs31-32).” They stayed in the ship, ate when told, and did this after having refused Paul earlier (vs21). Now, when their self-confidence is broken and their own way is hopeless, they take Paul’s word, and salvation, as promised, results.

God will save you by the gospel, His way, which is repentance and faith in Christ. Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).  You’ll turn to the Lord IN your sin, admitting that you are wrong, and you’ll be pardoned His way, by the death of God’s own Son and the grace that loves you freely.  The journey might not be as luxurious as you thought, but you’ll make it, even if barely (vs44).

God’s faithfulness believed always leads to faithfulness experienced, and if we believe ahead of time, we’re comforted. We read, “And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, ‘Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing.  Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.’ And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it, he began to eat.  Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves” (vs33-36).  Don’t wait on salvation to happen, but receive the promise, the instruction, and the comfort, even now.

If the shipmen didn’t listen, then they would have perished because salvation includes both the promise and the obedience.  But, it is never a message without hope!  Even when rebuking unbelief, Paul said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.  And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship” (vs21-22). Doomsday messages save no one, for we cannot trust ourselves or get help from anything less than the grace of Christ. He saves for Christ’s sake, having given us to Him, and with Him, like Paul’s shipmates, we are secure.  God told him, “indeed God has granted to you all those who sail with you” (vs24).

What is your thought about God’s word, the gospel? Do you live by it because you believe? If so, then you’ll be saved.  If not, then you can’t make it on any other terms!  You will surrender to Christ, or you reveal the promise is not yours (John 6:37-39). Trusting ourselves, we perish; when He breaks this self-trust and gives us FAITH, we live.