II Timothy IV
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom (II Timothy 4:18 ES)
Rescue
I have been involved, on both sides of the equation, in some rescues. And these rescues tend to have three things in common.
First, the person in trouble must realize they are in trouble.
Second, the rescuer should have the necessary abilities to rescue.
Third, a rescue has to be successful to be called a rescue.
I recall a small sailboat on the other side of a wind-whipped lake. I and a friend took a speed boat through the storm, and helped the sailor stave off disaster. He needed help, and he knew it. My friend and I were well prepared. We had the right equipment, and both of us knew how to handle a boat. And in the end, the sailor (and his boat) were rescued.
Those same three elements are involved in Christ’s rescue of His people. We have to realize that we need help, and that we need help ONLY from Him. He, alone in the universe, has the ability to rescue His people through His life, death, and life again. And His rescue of His people worked. We are rescued. We are heaven bound, instead of hell bound.
Christ rescues because of all three parts.