02/15/2025
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 family, church, or 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 believe and accept faith in God and Jesus Christ, it is more than just an individual relationship that is established with them alone, there is a joining together that blends us with all those who are in God, and Christianity. Our salvation is felt throughout heaven. Jesus alluded to this 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 we believe that is true, then what we read in Galatians is also true, and we come to realize that we are not only together in our own families or cultures... but one in our faith, which is 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, whatever 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 and live out a Christ-like life.
“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 (verse 6) 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 should have come to realize today that our gain for the heavenly kingdom causes celebration, but likewise, if we walk away from our faith, it not only causes a wake to be felt here on earth but in the heavenly kingdom of God as well, and throughout eternity.
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 is lessened, they will most certainly lap onto the distant shore.
In a more earthly example, we see the impact that addiction has on a person, but from there it touches their family, their neighborhood, community, city, state, nation, and... well, you get the picture. We live in community with the saints and all the 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. When we feel alone, or abandoned we should think on this, and when temptation presents itself, we should consider the ripples that will be felt should we succumb to it.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for bringing me into the togetherness of the faithful and thus making me a part of your eternal family. 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 and grace are 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. Still the ripples they have made by pouring the blood of Christ over me like oil on the water. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and Holy is your hand on the vessel which is Jesus who calms the water and erases the impact of my transgressions... Father, let it always be so. Abba, guide me in the winning of souls to your kingdom. Help me Heavenly Father to not only bring souls to you, but to maintain them in your garden of delight forever. May we all be celebrated in heaven, and cause no pain, no disappointment, no regret. Hold us close to your breast as one with you because we are the bride of Christ eternal, and as we are one in Jesus let us be sealed in you. Praised be your name, calm the waters of heaven and earth, and by our faith let our spirits be still as we honor and exalt you without producing even the tiniest of interruptions… without a single ripple on the waters of our faithfulness.
““Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!””
Psalm 46:10 ESV
Amen, Amen, Amen!
Rich Forbes