5-20-18
Welcome back for the last post in the series! We’ve talked about what happens when we fall down, hit the bottom, and dust ourselves back off. Today let’s talk about going on.
We’re all going to fall down sometimes. Being a Christian isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being perfected. God knows that we are going to make mistakes.
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. – 1 John 1:7-8
Here, John writes to Christians, because he says that the blood of Jesus is cleansing them. The only way to reach His blood is by being a Christian. Then, to these same people, he says they are lying to themselves if they say that they don’t sin.
Being a Christian and sinning is not the same as living in sin. We should expect to not be perfect. We just have to be prepared to get back on our feet and walk on. But that’s not easy to do, is it? There are a whole bunch of reasons that maybe it’s easier to just stop. People have just seen us in a low place, and now we’re supposed to act like it never happened. At least it feels like that for me. So here are some reasons to keep on going.
Yourself
Don’t quit first because you deserve better than that. God put you together for a reason. You matter. You are more than your mistakes.
You are the only one who can walk your Christian walk. I can’t do it for you, and you can’t do it for me. Maybe it seems like we’re walking five miles a day uphill both ways. But just think about what’s waiting for us when we get to the end.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. – Galatians 6:9
We’re going to get a reward. And it’s going to be awesome. Know how I know? The same God who designed this world is creating it for Himself and for the people who have followed Him as a reward. How could it not be amazing? Let’s honor what God has done for us and keep on going.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. – Galatians 2:20
Everyone Else
Jesus went back to Heaven and left us here to share His love. It’s our job to take it to everyone we can. Really, it’s a privilege, but it’s a huge responsibility too. There may be people you know who you are the one they would trust to tell them about God. Don’t leave them out.
Think about the people you love the most. Wouldn’t it be great to spend eternity with them with no worries? You can help make it happen.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. – 1 Thessalonians 4:17
What about the people you don’t really like? Maybe there’s somebody at school or work that you have love for but don’t want to be around. People who make it hard to be Christian because they aren’t and don’t care whether you are or not. What if tomorrow they weren’t like that? They didn’t pester you or use bad language or talk about drugs around you? Maybe they even encourage you when you’re having a bad day. It could happen. If you share God’s love. And then they wouldn’t miss out on Heaven.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17
God
We shouldn’t give up because of God. He didn’t have to make people, but He did. He made each of us specially. I love how it is put in William Young’s The Shack, when God says, “I am especially fond of” a person. And this is said about anyone who comes up in conversation. If you haven’t seen this movie, I highly recommend it, especially if you’re dealing with anger or guilt after losing someone you love. But if you start it, make sure you finish it. Trust me.
God cares deeply about each and every person. He and Jesus made the sacrifice of Jesus’ death so that we could have a chance to be redeemed. Jesus basically said, “Take me instead.” We should help make the most of this sacrifice by honoring it ourselves and telling as many people as we can.
It’s so important to God that He tells us to do it, and it’s not a suggestion. It’s part of the work that He calls us to do. It’s not just for the preacher or the older people who always know what to say. It’s for all of us.
“…Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. – Matthew 28:19-20
Thanks for joining in this series! If you’ve missed any of them, I’ve linked to them in the first paragraph. If you liked them, please share them! I’ll be sending out the newsletter soon with a compiled and updated version for download of the What’s holding you back? series. So if you haven’t signed up, you can do that right here: sign up!
In the meantime, keep on going! Drop me a line if you have any questions or comments. I love hearing from you!
May the Lord bless and keep you,
Heather
Heather Tabata 