I have been so grieved lately as I’ve watched those I love and care for, and those I have discipled and mentored, fall away from the road of truth. Scriptures speak of those who want their ears tickled, and then there are those who have quit because the battle has grown too fierce. Salvation is not a “get out of hell free card”. I have personally visited with those who have a #2 Bible – erasing things they don’t like or agree with in the Word. Yet Revelation 22:19 speaks clearly to this activity, “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book”. Scripture also speaks of the “falling away in the last days”. May we stand strong, feet planted and shod with the gospel of peace. Wherever our feet take us, the rest of our body WILL FOLLOW.
I want to share an article I just read this morning that speaks to this very subject:
We’ve become a people who embrace the “let’s-just-quit” mentality. Dieting requires discipline, so we stay fat. Working through conflict is wearying, so we divorce. Sticking with an occupation is tough, so we resign. It isn’t long before apathy sets in.
It’s no different with spiritual matters. So many Christians start like lightning—hot, fast, and dazzling. But how many continue the course with sustained enthusiasm and vigor? Oh, there are some, but why so few?
Our problem isn’t that we’re ignorant of God’s expectations. His standard stretches from Genesis to Revelation. His command is clear: “Be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). God calls us to live holy lives, and most of us know it . . . but we don’t know how. Holiness is tough to attain, so we quit.
I love the metaphor about how a farmer plows his field, plants his seed, and waters his crop, even though God is the One who causes the germination, the growth, and finally, the harvest. The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer should do.
Thank you! As I read this I am convicted and encouraged. Blessed!
Thank you Darla for taking a stand on this. When we are so aware that we aren’t perfect, we have a tendency to draw back from taking a hard stand for truth, for the very reason that we don’t do it perfectly ourselves. God doesn’t require perfection, He wants loving obedience, and He will honor that. God bless you.