Only eight made it on the ark.

1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Eight souls. That’s all? I’m consumed with this thought lately.

I understand those Scarlett Letters in Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Only Noah and his family were spared from judgment, and I’ve known this most of my life, but I never let it sink in. Not fully. When I thought about it at all, I collected all my thoughts under one single-idea umbrella; they corrupted their DNA through the fallen angels mating with the daughters of men. That was it. Corrupted DNA is not savable through God’s plan.

But do I believe EVERY person on this earth had corrupted DNA besides Noah and his family? Maybe. Even likely. But is it possible other barriers existed?

I grew up in the greasy grace church. Once saved, always saved. No serious commitment on your part, Girlie. Just “do your best” and nobody can ever pluck you out of His hand. But what if I can pluck myself out of His hand? What if I was never in His hand? That’s a scary thought. I am so grateful God allowed me to get to where I am now in my walk with Him, because some moments in my life have been questionable to say the least.

If you’ve read my testimony, you know I believe God saved me when I was seven. However, it would be years before I fully understood my commitment to Him. My commitment to obey and obey completely. My commitment to love Him according to Jhn 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. My commitment to hold up my end of the covenant. That’s right. This being saved stuff is a two-way street. If I’m not holding up my end of the covenant, where is the line drawn? When does He say, “This isn’t working out anymore.”?

I don’t know where His line is and at what point we cross out of His favor, but I believe it can happen. The Bible tells me He is a gracious, merciful, and loving God, and He is also longsuffering. He doesn’t want anyone to perish. The Bible also tells me He demands, commands, and requires us to do our part to endure to the end. It’s that first part we tend to focus on in American churches today while letting the last part slide. Sloppy lukewarm efforts on our part for sure, and we all know what He says about being lukewarm. Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

That verse is so vivid. If we are lukewarm, He won’t sniff us, crinkle His nose, and turn His head aside as He shuffles us into Heaven. He will spew us out. Rejected. Vomit us out like a disease. Just like our bodies do to get rid of a harmful sickness or bacteria. Lukewarm would not have made it on the ark.

I’ve just been thinking a lot lately. If my neighbor was building an ark today, would I be on it when the time came? Have I committed to complete obedience? Do I stink in the nostrils of God? Am I lukewarm? Would he spew me out, or let me on the boat?

He’s raising up a remnant of believers. I am sure of that. Let us pray that our Father helps us every day to respond, to believe, to self-reflect, to ask for forgiveness of sins and iniquities, and to repent. Let us grow closer to Him and allow Him to sanctify us and to keep purifying us so that we offer a sweet savor to Him. Humble us, Lord, and help us to see all way ways we might miss the boat.

Fully immersed in The Scarlet Letters.