It’s time to buckle up, friends!
I want to give you this challenge and a warning!
I have just come off of an intense study of Spiritual Warfare. I just read this:
True salvation is going to put you in direct conflict with Satan.
I believe it is 100 percent true!
So this question is posed:
“Why would God want us to fight if He’s already fought the battle for us?”
Do you ever ask yourself that same question?
Why WHY have I suffered and lost so much to fight in this battle if it is not necessary?
The basic reason is that I made a commitment. In today’s world, often the gospel is preached that “Jesus died for your sins, ask Him to forgive your sins, and everything will be wonderful.” You know what? Few people talk about the fact that you can’t get Jesus to forgive your sins without committing yourself to Him. Salvation is not a one-way street — it’s not “Jesus does it all, so you don’t have to do a thing.” That’s simply not true. It’s not what Jesus said. He said that if you do not take up your cross and deny yourself, and perhaps even to the point of getting killed for Him, you’re not worthy of Him. He says He’s going to give salvation to those who endure to the end. He makes no promise of salvation and eternal life to those who don’t endure. This is serious business, friends. That’s why I’m taking the time to share this with you.
Paul repeats this subject many times in the book of Hebrews. For example, in Hebrews 3:6, it says, “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” And another example is found in Hebrews 3:14 “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.”
Salvation is more than saying, “Jesus, please forgive me,” and then going on our merry way. It is a total and complete commitment to Jesus. The word “commitment” must be taken seriously. Commitment is not a “work.” Commitment is a contract; it’s literally selling yourself. Jesus gave His all for us. We must give our all to Him - to be totally sold out for Him.
So, my point is, sometimes we have to give up a lot - Luke 14:27 says, “Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Now what does it mean to “bear your cross?” Most people interpret it as putting up with “bad” things that come their way.
Are you willing to make a total commitment to the Lord? To walk away from ungodly relationships that are dragging you down? Are you willing to start a fresh new day and month of this year with a new and fresh commitment to Christ?
This is not an easy commitment to make. As soon as you make a commitment like this, you are going to be tested and tried on it.
Can I just say that you’re not really going to grow in faith if you don’t make a commitment and stand by it! It’s by faith, which is a pure gift from God, that you can even make such a commitment in the first place.
My prayer for you is that your faith will increase, grow and strengthen.
What faith says is, “I have made this commitment; I have entered into this contract, and I’m going to stand by it.”
Don’t permit doubt to dwell in your mind. KNOW that God is for you and TRUST that He will bring the people around you that you need to strengthen you, not pull you down. Grab onto those friendships. Godly Friendships!
Don’t be afraid to talk about the Lord. Find friends who challenge you in the Word, and you can talk together and share what the Lord is doing in your life to grow you in Him. Don’t stay stagnant!
People may think or even say, “You’re coming across hard.” But remember God’s promises! God says in Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:8-9
Here are some more scriptures that come to the top of my mind:
Galatians 5:7
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?
Don’t let anyone cut in on your race or drag you down!
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Keep on keeping on!
John 15:14
You are my friends if you do what I command.
We are friends of Jesus himself if we keep His commandments.
And my favorite, as we focus on Godly Friendships:
James 2:23, “And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.”
Now THAT’s a godly friendship. Literally!
What a friend we have in Jesus!!
None of us know what a day will hold. But we are in charge of who we surround ourselves with.
Choose your friends wisely!
Surround yourself with strength - people who will challenge you and build you up in godliness.
Be Blessed,
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