02/24/2023
What happens when our faith is at risk? Have you ever contemplated the effect that we have on those around us when we slip into negative behavior or sin? How about the impact we have on our church, and Heaven? Even though our Christian walk seems totally personal... it isn't. Our faith has a ripple effect that touches all those around us, and beyond.
“And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”
1 Corinthians 12:26 KJV
This is more than empathy; God intends for us to be one in Christ; scripture tells us that we are raised up together and that we will sit together in heavenly places.
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”
Ephesians 2:6 KJV
When we accept faith in God and Christ, it is more than just me as an individual with God and Jesus, there is a joining together that blends us with all in God, and Christianity. Our salvation is felt throughout heaven. Jesus alluded to as much when He said:
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7 KJV
Heaven celebrates repentance, so if that is so, then, as we read in Galatians, we understand that we are not only together in our own families or cultures... but one in our faith... global, and eternal.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:28 KJV
So what occurs here in our lives has an impact on not just ourselves or those immediately around us, but in all of heaven and eternity. That is an enormous impact, and this realization should seal us in our faith, and make us resolute in our desire to win souls to Christ.
“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.”
Romans 14:7-8 KJV
Knowing these things, we can take the single verse from Ephesians 2 that we read earlier and expand it out. By doing so we understand that it joins all of these thoughts together:
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:4-7 KJV
We have come to realize that our gain for the heavenly kingdom causes celebration, but should we walk away from faith, it most certainly causes a wake to be felt on earth and in the kingdom as well.
When we drop a stone into a pond, the ripples are closest together at the epicenter, and that is what those nearest to us feel when we lose faith or commit sin. But, those ripples continue on, and although they may become further apart as they travel, and the impact of them lessened, they will most certainly lap onto the distant shore.
In a more earth-bound example, we see the impact that addiction has on a person, but from there it touches their family, neighborhood, community, city, state, nation, and... well, you get the picture. We live in community with the saints and souls around us. Even when we attempt to separate ourselves there is always a thread that connects us. Our salvation has an impact, and it changes all of creation... and our sins and failures do as well.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for bringing me into the togetherness of faith. I thank you for allowing me to become one with your Son Jesus Christ and to have fellowship with all who believe, have believed, or ever will believe. Your mercy is without bound and your love eclipses all. Lord, I pray that my failures and sins are each accounted for by my contrition and through your forgiveness. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and your hand calms the water and stops the impact of my transgressions... Father, let it be so always. Dear Lord, guide me in the winning of souls to your kingdom. Help me Father to not only bring souls to you, but to maintain them in your garden of delight. May we all be celebrated in heaven and cause no pain, no disappointment, no regret. Hold us close as one... the bride of Christ eternal… one in Jesus and sealed in you.
Rich Forbes