03/23/2018
Are you someone who is flirting with the idea of accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and are fearful of committing because you don’t know if you have within you the ability to stand by that commitment for a lifetime? Or perhaps you are already a Christian and worry that your faith isn’t strong enough to carry on in the face of the temptation that surrounds you. Well, do not fear, and trust in the Holy Spirit to sustain you, and build your faith.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”
Jude 1:20-21 ESV
Our commitment to Jesus Christ and to God is not something that we do for a season, but is for a lifetime. It is like a newborn baby who gasps that first breath... and then must breathe steadily from that moment on. Yet, no one forces that first breath into us... it is a matter of our own will and decision to believe; to breathe. Nearly everyone who has heard the gospel knows John 3:16, and it speaks directly to our need to choose Jesus... to make the choice to believe.
“"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
But the world is a temptress, and can lure away those that have chosen to believe if they are not careful in their faith. Inattention and distraction also can bring a person to the point where their faith is no more. These are things to fear. You were not forced to believe, and you are not forced to continue in that belief. However, remember this... even if your faith subsides, and you walk away from it, God does not abandon you and His grace remains waiting for your love to be rekindled, and for you to come home.
So there are two scriptures regarding this loss of faith that I would like to share with you this morning. The first is a warning regarding not holding fast to our belief in God, and Jesus; it goes like this...
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”
Hebrews 3:12-14 ESV
Exhorting one another.... Church is a place of renewal and encouragement in faith. When I had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from within me I was put to sleep. When the operation was over, I was taken to the recovery area and the first thing I recall is the nurse emphatically instructing my wife “Tell Him to BREATHE!”, and my taking a deep breath as Ann shouted for me to do so. Church is like that too; sometimes we have a spiritual apnea and need help in breathing. No matter how young or old we are in Christ, we have times in our spiritual walk when we need to hear those words “BREATHE!”
The second is that we shouldn’t confuse a loss, or wavering of faith with absolute failure, because God’s grace is like a loving home... no matter how far we roam, or how spiteful we have been in our separation ... it remains there waiting for our return, and for us to realize the error of our ways. We know this from a parable of Jesus; The Prodigal Son.
“"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
Luke 15:17-20 ESV
We may fall away, walk away, or in some other way lose our focus and commitment to The Lord, but once we have first believed He has made a home for us, and no matter where we finally find ourselves when we come back to our senses... He awaits us there... longing for our return, and desiring to take us into His arms once again, and feel our breath on His cheek... as if we never left.
So if you are an unbeliever, and you hesitate to accept Jesus as your savior, and God as your Lord, because you doubt that you have within yourself sufficient ability to believe, or commitment... be not afraid... come to Him. He will open His house to you as your new home, and pour His grace over you like a sweet warm oil. At that moment you will be His child forever, and the adventure will have begun.
And, if you are already a Christian and are concerned that your faith is waning... fear not! Seek encouragement in the presence of other Christian brothers and sisters. Find comfort and sustenance in church. Pray. There is a community of believers there to lift you up, and the Holy Spirit to strengthen you.
In both cases kneel in prayer, and let the Holy Spirit build up your faith. Whether that be a new faith, or the revitalization of an old one... the promise is the same... God awaits and welcomes His children home. All that is required from us is a decision to believe, and from that first breath comes His commitment to us by grace. There is nothing more required of you... just believe and love Him.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for that first breath of faith, and I thank you for the grace it brought with it into the lungs of my belief. Your mercy, forgiveness, and patience in me knows no end Father, but may your Holy Spirit strengthen me that I not break your heart, or cause you to long for my return.
Lord, give those unbelievers who seek you the encouragement to pray fervently, and let them hear your voice over their own ranting as they do. Teach them to listen Holy Father, so that they might know your will for them, and hear the love in your welcoming voice when you at last hear them gasp that first breath of faith and belief. I know Merciful Father that no matter where we are in life, whether at your door for the first time, or in need of renewal in faith, your promise and love are there with us, and that our belief, or renewed belief, is all that is needed to open a conversation with you, and bring us home... to a strengthening our faith. Praised be your name Holy Father, for your grace is sufficient for us, and knows no end. Though we might fade in our faith, or stutter in our steps towards the altar of our first belief, you are faithful, and patient in your love. Your door is always open, and your arms outstretched, lead us to them Holy Spirit, and give us joy in our homecoming!
Rich Forbes