Rescued From the Present Evil Age

Pastor Steve Ellison

Galatians 1:4 tells us that Christ gave Himself for us to rescue us from the present evil age/world.  Christ not only saves us from hell in the coming age, He also saves us from the present evil age.  Christians have for the most part had a clear understanding that Christ died the perfect death as the perfect sacrifice.  This sacrifice was on our behalf, thus we do not have to endure separation from the Father for all eternity.  Christ in His infiniteness has already endured that eternal separation from the Father.   On the other hand, Christians have not appeared to fully grasp the principle that everything about our existence is total grace.  Christ not only died the perfect death; He also lived the perfect life.  Thus, He died in our place and He lived the perfect life in our place.  

Galatians 4:19 indicates that Paul’s ministry to the Galatians is to see that Christ is formed in them.  1 Corinthians 15:45 tells us that we bear the image of Christ, the Last Adam, because He accomplished what the first Adam did not.  Christ made it possible for us to experience abundant life now, not having to wait for the next age.  It seems to me that John 10:10 comments on this subject, telling us that the grace found in Christ’s perfect life protects us from the “thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy”.   If we succumb to the false messages of this world, falling to evil temptations, we will live miserable lives, missing the joy that is meant to characterize the Christian life.  This joy filled life is as much a product of grace as the initial forgiveness of sin that adopts us into the family of God.  We cannot do it on our own; we cannot live such a life.  Christ lived it and thus lives it through us now, if we will only yield to Him.  That is truly being rescued from this present evil age.

There seems to be a lack of emphasis from the pulpit regarding the transformational aspect of being in Christ.  Where this truth has been preached, the response from the pew has been very much mixed.  A small but significant portion of the people is appreciative of hearing the truth.  Some are appreciative at first, but once the preacher gets around to a person’s particular need for transformation, their attitude usually changes.  A few remain appreciative even when their sin is revealed to them.   It seems the majority does not want to hear about this vital need for transformation.  Some of them respond with open opposition, while the rest simply withdraw support.  I have observed this in several churches.  However, that does not do away with the necessity of faithfully and regularly proclaiming the need for transformation.

Romans 6 tells us power of sin over the believer is broken!  Hallelujah and let it be so.  As ministers of the gospel, we do a disservice to people when we fail to teach them that they do not have to live in the clutches of sin.  The eternal penalty for sin has been paid in full, but there are still earthly consequences for breaking God’s physical laws and God’s spiritual laws.  If I disregard the law of gravity, I will pay a price.  If I disregard the law of sexual purity, I will pay a price.  Praise God that He has indeed rescued us from this present evil age.  We do not have to live miserable lives suffering the consequences of sin.  Even without considering the judgment of God, we should be able to see that all sin has additional negative consequences for the sinner.  May we decide to accept God’s rescue. ………pastorsteve8800@gmail.com