Grab Hold of Help and Hope

Do you feel like you’re sinking—that struggle as you might, you can never escape to true freedom and security? The problem of sin has a way of overwhelming us—of pulling us down into the depths to swallow us up. The dire predicament can seem unbeatable, like there’s no way out. It saps our energy, erodes our resolve and leaves us feeling trapped in despair.

This is far more than a personal problem. It’s a human problem, affecting the world at large. Looking out, we see that society is drowning in sorrows rooted in sin. But for the most part, society does not even understand what sin is.

The Bible defines sin as lawlessness—that is, living in violation of God’s laws (1 John 3:4). Many read “law” and imagine a stern God ready to “smite” people for failing to toe His rigorous line. As they see it, a loving God would not impose such burdensome moral restrictions. Yet God explains that the laws He gives are for our good (Deuteronomy 6:24; 10:13). He wants the best for us. His laws teach us how to treat others in a loving way (compare Romans 13:10; 1 John 5:3). If everyone obeyed them, all would experience harmony and joy. “Happy is he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18).

But the world has been led astray into ways of selfishness and of disregard for God and His ways—even open defiance. This is a problem all people must come to recognize in themselves—that the human heart has become “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9), with a mind that’s “hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (Romans 8:7, English Standard Version).

So does God just leave us to flail and drown? No—His intent has always been to rescue us, to extend a lifeline to pull us up. Yet we must take hold of what He offers us.

He offers us forgiveness of sins, which He grants upon our committed repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. Jesus came to die in our place so that we can live. This profound deliverance is vital to being set free and leaving our past behind!

But what’s to keep us from falling back into the ways of sin? How do we deal with our corrupt nature that pulls us down? God’s rescue is not just pulling us against our will. Rather, He will give us power to pull with strength ourselves toward Him and to hold onto Him. This power from God is the other great help He offers us—the power of the Holy Spirit, given following our repentance through faith in Christ and baptism (Acts 2:38).

The magnitude of the problem facing all people—and the necessity of accepting God’s help in rescuing us—is laid out in our cover story, “The Depths of Sin—and the Lifeline Out.” Accompanying it is an overview of the plummeting morality of the world around us and the need to not go with the flow. Further, in our look at world news, we see the terrible consequences of a history of hatred fueled by false religion, as we see in Iran—and the need for God to ultimately set things right.

Vital perspective on this theme is found in an article on the meaning of the biblical Feast of Firstfruits or Pentecost, which comes annually in late spring (May-June)—this year on May 24. It was on this day that God gave His Holy Spirit to His followers in a miraculous display after Christ’s death and resurrection. Christ’s empowered followers of this age will at His return assist Him in leading the whole world to embrace God’s lifeline of rescue.

Other articles encourage developing faith and faithfulness and hope through the help God gives—along with steps we can take in the process of recovering from sin and moving forward.

In receiving God’s help, we need to remember that His Spirit will empower us but not force us into compliance. We must choose to yield to His help. In speaking of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul told the young evangelist Timothy he needed to stir up this gift or “fan [it] into flame” (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV).

While the power comes from God, we don’t just coast on autopilot. We must be actively engaged. As Jesus told us, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate” (Luke 13:24, emphasis added). Paul described his own struggle as a real fight, not just shadowboxing, with determined self-discipline (1 Corinthians 9:26-27). Yet all the striving in the world will not bring our salvation. All of us need the miraculous transforming power of God to overcome and remain faithful to the end.

May we all grab hold of God’s lifeline and press toward ultimate salvation. As Paul wrote: “Not that I . . . am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended [or laid hold of it]; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).

We can break through in ultimate deliverance. As Jesus Himself tells us, “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Accept the lifeline God offers and hold fast!

From Managing Editor Tom Robinson - On a personal note, this will be my last issue as managing editor of Beyond Today. I will remain involved, but my main responsibility is shifting to our study guides, Bible study course and online Bible commentary. It has been a privilege serving in this role for the past few years. Praying all our media efforts continue to provide you with the help and hope you need.