How Deep is Your Faith?

"For we walk by faith, not by sight:" -2 Cor 5:7 (KJV)

This past week America faced yet another horrific mass murder, this time in Oregon. Before we get started today, I would like to say that our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victims. This was an absolutely terrible tragedy.

Each day the world looks down the barrel of a gun or faces the edge of the knife for these are in fact the last days leading up to Jesus Christ's return. This cannot be denied anymore. It also cannot be attributed to the lack of gun control as that excuse or reasoning is ludicrous! The persecution of Christians is increasing not only in the Middle East but now here in America. And this is happening way too often.

When you become a Christian, when you accept Christ and claim Him as your Lord and Savior through His death and resurrection at Calvary.  You are now a new creature – 2 Cor 5:17 – and have been born again of the spirit. When you take this step, you begin a new life, a renewed, sanctified, born-again life in Christ and this life is awesome yet can be tough. As a Christian, you know that God is a God of infinite love, mercy, and grace but He is also a God of justice and also judgment. And as so many of our Christian leaders fail to preach today, we will face many perils living a Christian life, especially in the last days before Christ's return. Many will not be prepared because their 'shepherds' are not preparing them. Woe unto these shepherds!!

The Lord did not say this life would be easy. He did not promise you endless happiness, or work success, or good health or prosperity. The Christian's walk can be painful and difficult but the Lord uses this to teach us and draw us closer to Him.

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." -James 4:14 (KJV)

Our lives are frail and temporary; they are but a vapor. We live to live for Christ and that is the entire bottom line. Death is a very present reality that we all will face but who is ready? Who is prepared? Our faith is another significant hinge-pin of our lives. Without it we fail and with it we prevail! The big question for all of us is where and to what depth is our faith? Do we just dabble in the Bible and in Christ? Do we play with Christianity like it's a game of some type? Or do we take our faith in Christ as seriously as we take our lives? This past week's dreadful events that unfolded at the school in Oregon should bring the urgent reality of our Christianity home to every born-again professing Christian. Understanding some of the details of the event from witnesses, if you professed your religion as Christian you were shot dead. That should drive home the existence of persecution now prevalent in America. This event begs the question of what would we do in a similar situation. Please think seriously on this for Christ said in His word that we would be hated by the world for following Him – Matt 10:22. And that in the last days many Christians will be persecuted even to the point of death – Matt 24:9.

So where are you at today?

For those that are present in the Tribulation, most likely at the midpoint, according to scripture – Rev 13 – whether Christian or not you will have to make a decision when confronted with your faith. This time will usher in the Mark of the Beast. It will be a time of terrible persecution as you will be faced with the choice of taking the mark to eat, work, buy, or sell.  You may be faced with immediate death or imminent flight escaping his armies of darkness. At any rate, your faith will be challenged and your life at stake.

Do these things make you think or do you not give them another thought?

"For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed , when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels." -Luke 9:26 (KJV)

The reality is that the times are getting more and more difficult for professing Christians. Let's bring it a little closer to you. Today, in your relatively tranquil environments – workplace or among family, are you ashamed to proclaim that you are a Christian? Do other's know that you are a Christian? Do your actions and words indicate and witness that you are not of the world but of Christ? C'mon, be honest at least with yourself. Or do you compromise and live with one foot in the world and the other in Christianity? Friend, if so, you are lukewarm and the Lord will not accept you, in fact, He will vomit you out of His mouth -Rev 3:16.

 "I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers." -Psa 26:4 (KJV)

This past week's events as well as other persecution accounts – home and abroad – should cause you to reassess and reevaluate what exactly is the level of your faith. How deep does it go? Our world is getting darker and darker and the enemy of our souls – the Devil – wants nothing more than to destroy those that claim to be Christians. (All the more reason to take up the full armor of God and storm the gates of hell in prayer, fasting and even more prayer. Be a spiritual warrior. Pray over every place you enter – home, store, work, etc. Proclaim your faith and stand your ground!!)

The situation is growing in intensity and the reality of what you will do in a similar persecution scenario is really unknown but that does not exempt us from examining where we are at today in our faith.  Would we give our lives for Christ if it came to that? These are some serious and sobering no-kidding questions to consider and not to put off thinking of to some other time. The time is now! Hiding your head in the sand and pretending that this will never affect you is no answer. If you would claim Christ as your Savior, would you also die for Him, or give your life for another? Where do you stand with your Lord and Savior right now this day?

 

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ – 2 Cor 1:2 (KJV)

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

 

GIVE ALMIGHTY GOD ALL THE GLORY FOR HE IS KING and HE IS LORD!