On August 29, 2005, hurricane Katrina, with 145 mph winds, wreaked havoc in Louisiana. Part of the city of New Orleans is below sea level and protected by a dike or levee. A storm surge breached the surrounding levee and water flooded into the city. It was devastated.
Many people died in the city. Many houses were under water. Where the water was not so deep, some people would not leave their homes. They had nowhere to go and no means of travel, and they knew that abandoned homes were being looted. Rescuers reached these homes and took people to higher and safer ground.
For others, home is home to them, and they would not leave though the water surrounding their homes was polluted with sewage and dead bodies.
One such person told the rescuers, “I don’t want to be saved.” Exposed to disease, starvation and death, still he would not leave. It is hard to believe that anyone in such a condition would refuse rescue.
Yet many are just as indifferent to the condition of their immortal souls. God’s Word has told us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)).
There is, however, an offer of salvation-an eternal salvation free to all who will accept it. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)).
The Lord Jesus told some people in His day, “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life” (John 5:4040And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:40)).
Dare you say, like some in Louisiana, “I don’t want to be saved”? Or are you willing to accept God’s offer of free salvation?