History tends to "repeat" itself. That is true for civilizations, communities, churches, and families. That "repeat" is really a cycle of growth and decline. It is a repeat of numbers and morality, faith and secularization, financial stability and poverty, political processes and procedures. Each grows and declines - repeatedly.
One such repetition is what happens to the Church in the world. Jesus warned his disciples that belief would be necessary - trust in Him - if they were to survive the world's opposition. That eternal connection to Christ is far more than a title (being CALLED a Christian). It is a spiritual connection that comes from trusting and serving Jesus Christ. Being a Christian in name only will not work in a world that tries to find fault in your faith. Only those whose faith rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ can endure the opposition of the world. The time is upon us that we again face what Jesus promised would happen to his disciples.
Jesus told his disciples they would be scattered, unable to gather together (John 16:32). In that time, they will not be able to gather with the man we know as Jesus, either. He was speaking of the time he was to be arrested, falsely accused, and publicly crucified. To be associated with him was to risk similar treatment. The cycle continues, and again, Christianity is no longer popular - Christians will and are being scattered. And yet, because of their relationship with Jesus, the disciples would be able to have peace. The world would bring tribulation, but the heart would be full of peace. The world might seem like it was winning, but it has already lost - to Jesus. The world hopes to send people to God's judgment, but through the disciples' relationship with Jesus, that judgment will not happen - Christ's crucifixion paid that for all the disciples who trust and know Jesus. Jesus promises it, and God backs Jesus in this (John 16:27).
Of course, this passage reveals that it is more than just being CALLED a Christian, it is a deep awareness that Christ is ONE with God - He is Divine - MORE than just a man. He came from God. He is more than a good teacher, He is God. He is more than a mere prophet, He came from God. He is more than a platitude dispenser, good moralist, or powerful preacher - He is the MESSIAH promised in the Old Testament. Therefore, we can trust Him completely. He is not to be compared with anything in creation, for He is the Creator of all that is. He is more reliable than the sunrise and sunset. His words are Faithful and True. And those who trust Him, His words, and His deeds do so because they know that He came from the Father as He said! Serve Him alone, and His victory over the world will be yours. And that is faith - serving Him.
Do you have faith? It doesn't take a quantity of faith. It isn't how much you believe. It's the quality of your faith - who you trust and by your trust who you serve. If you say you trust Jesus, then prove it by serving Him - no matter what. In today's world, that means serving Him when the world says you are not allowed to. It means serving Him when no one is watching. It means serving Him when you are isolated from everyone. It means serving Him when jail, job loss, or death may be the penalty. Is YOUR faith of that quality? Then you can have peace with God, for Christ promises you are loved by God! As John later said, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:13).
Do YOU have saving faith? Saving faith is serving faith!
And that's Just A Thot for today. Please comment, share, and grow by it!
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Pastor Greg