Standing Firm – August 26, 2022

Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.”
Luke 13:25-28

Standing Firm

What has your spiritual journey looked like? Did you grow up in a Christian home, participate in Christian worship, and attend Christian schools? Or did you just start hearing about God and his salvation recently?

According to Jesus, each situation has its blessings and challenges. If you just started hearing what the Bible teaches, you have the blessing of remembering what it was like to be “dead in sin.” You might feel like a newlywed on their honeymoon. Everything about God is new, fresh, and exciting. On the other hand, because your faith is not mature, you could be like a plant with little roots. Worldly desires, distractions, or disasters could have the potential to pluck you from the faith.

In the same way, there are blessings and challenges for those of you who have grown up in the Christian faith: You know how to listen to God’s Word and respond in prayer. You probably have a network of Christian friends that can help you when you are struggling. On the other hand, you might be tempted to believe you are stronger than you think. You might forget how much you need continual strengthening by God’s Word and worship.

So, whether you are a new Christian or a life-long Christian, keep growing. Let the roots of your faith grow deep as you gather with God’s people around his Word.

Prayer:
Come Holy Spirit, rekindle in us the fire of your love. Amen.