Articles
Genesis 7: The Invitation to Salvation
“Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.’” (Genesis 7:1)
Morally, the world was crumbling in around him. Every moment of interaction with other people must have vexed his soul. Cruelty, brutality, murder, mayhem, lust and lasciviousness surrounded he and his family.
And, there was little he could do to stop it.
One day, Noah received a message from the God he had heard about growing up—the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Judgment was coming—a catastrophic judgment against the whole world. The righteous God would punish unrighteous mankind with a flood that would destroy all.
But, this God gave Noah hope: there was a way for Noah to save himself, his family and representatives of all the animal kingdom. He was to build a boat. God wasn’t finished with His creation yet.
So, Genesis 7 begins with a wonderful invitation—enter in. This salvation was only by God’s initiative, direction and grace. It was freely given. But, it had to be acted on. Noah did; the rest is history.
We live in a world that seems—at least at times—overrun by sin. Certainly, it is not to the level of antediluvian times, but by Paul’s own declaration it is “crooked and perverse” (Philippians 2:15) and evil men grow “worse and worse” (2 Timothy 3:13). Some of us are trying to raise families in it, and are—at least at times—scared to death doing so. Just as in the days of Genesis, judgment is assured (Romans 2:1-16).
Here’s our hope: just as He did to Noah, God has given us instructions we may follow to be saved from this judgment. He has offered salvation to all who will come to Jesus Christ in faith, repent of wrong, confess His name and be baptized for the remission of sins. Jesus became our ark (an ark we are baptized into and put on, Galatians 3:27). And, just as in the days of Noah, God invites all to “Come into the ark….” Or, as Jesus put it, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Won’t you come into the ark, you and all your household?
Let’s apply this to our lives.
