07/07/2021
We accept Jesus Christ as our savior, and immediately find ourselves seeking knowledge of Him in ravenous fashion, but quite often the things in our lives that we approach in this way die out just as quickly as they flared up. Thus, we are instructed to walk in our faith, and to steadily make progress. Our goal in faithfulness should be to please Him in everything we do… not to simply WOW Him in a flash of righteous spirituality. Our Love should imitate the love of Jesus, and be life long, even to eternity.
“…walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
Colossians 1:10 ESV
We approach very little in our lives thinking about their lasting nature; not even our marriages are entered into without the caveat… “till death do you part.” God’s Word tells us that man is meant to die, but here is what sets us apart in our faith, we are told that we will be judged… so there is more that awaits us at the end of our physical lives, and it is eternal in nature
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,”
Hebrews 9:27 ESV
Jesus offered Himself for us to lift the curtain that divided man and his sinful nature from the righteousness he was meant to live in. He also conquered death, and became our tree of life… making all who believe in Him eternal. He tells us in no uncertain terms that He gives us eternal life. He is a game changer in every way, and transforms us from creatures of the earth to citizens of Heaven and eternity.
“This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.””
John 6:50-51 ESV
There is an interesting characteristic about eternity… it makes time nearly irrelevant, and as we look into our eternal future we realize that the need to run in our faith, or to expect God to rush in His dealings with us, is no longer a mandate for those who reside in the spirit. We are no longer bound by time, but by our love for God, and righteousness; both of which are timeless. In this way we have been transformed from a thoroughbred horse who is valued for its instant speed, into a plodding donkey who can carry a heavy load of faith for great distances.
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
2 Peter 3:8-9 ESV
So how do we pursue our faith? Are we thoroughbred horses that race from here to there but are prone to pulling up lame, or are we donkeys who slowly and surely plod along bringing the heavy load of the gospel to the world? Is there much value in running for someone who lives his life with a focus on eternity? No, our goal is perfect obedience and love, not flitting about from here to there only to find ourselves distracted in our faith by the next bright flash of lightening.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
Today let’s take deep breaths of faith, and slowly exhale them. Let’s breathe in “Yah”, and breath out “Weh”, all day long. Let’s avoid the panting pursuit of God that many of us have been locked into, and find the peace, and steadfastness that walking within our love and faith in God, and Jesus Christ, brings.
“Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!”
Psalm 81:13 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the calm and restful walk we have found with you in the eternal nature of our faith. Thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who walked through life delivering the message of hope that your mercy and grace were pouring over the world. Thank you for the cool evening walks that we now take with you which Jesus made possible once again. As you walked with Adam, now walk with us. Let eternity influence who we are, and make us patient in all things. Help us Father to love, not unto death, but for all eternity. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who knows no beginning or end, and has loved us always. Praised be your name for every breath we take that speaks your name, and for your grace that soothes our spirit in the constant assurance of your eternal presence. Wash us, and make us perfect, in the blood of Jesus. Prepare us in righteousness as we walk our way of faith, obeying your will for us. Find us worthy in our moment of judgement, and pronounce us to be your eternal children… joint heirs with Christ Jesus in whom you are well pleased.
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV
Rich Forbes