Castaway has two meanings.
Merriam-Webster tells us that a castaway object has been thrown away. It’s rejected as something unwanted or of inferior quality.
However, Webster’s also tells us that to be castaway can mean that we are a survivor. We’ve been accidentally set adrift, and others are searching for our redemption and rescue.
Galatians 5:4 tells us:
“You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.”
Castaway. Severed. Set adrift, even as we try to save ourselves. The truth is, we cannot regain any form of salvation on our own. Adam and Eve were cast from the perfection of Eden, and we’ve been separated from God ever since.
How do we signal for our rescue ship? Hebrews 11:6 gives us a clue.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Our redemption doesn’t just happen. We can’t live as we please and expect God to ferry us to heaven when we die. We must have faith in the Father and trust in him for our salvation.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:27:
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
These are the words of our greatest apostle. His words make up most of the teachings of the modern-day church. In the King James Version, he calls himself a castaway should he fail to find his faith in the Father.
Merriam-Webster has it right…and they have it wrong. We haven’t been thrown away. We’ve been accidentally set adrift, and God is searching to bring us home. Our faith is the light in the darkness that tells him we wish to be found.
Then, he reaches unto us, and he pulls us back aboard the ship Salvation to continue on life’s journey at his side.
He is our hope and our redemption. He completes our rescue through our faith in him.
God never abandons us. He searches for our faith so that he can draw us back unto him.
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Code: FGO.J.08.15c.vp.esv