What does it take to be a Christian? Now, I’m taking about a true, faithful, devoted Christian who will be saved for eternity! Can one just call himself or herself a Christian and be saved in the day of judgment? I think we all know the answer to that question. The answer is “NO”! God is very clear in His word that only those who are truly faithful to Him and His Son will be saved eternally.
So, what must we do and how must we do it in order to be in that number that will be saved?
Think about this, we are now beginning a new school year - public schools and colleges. That also means it is “sports” time. High school and college football, softball, soccer is starting to go strong. What does a young person have to do to be successful in their particular sport? Do they just show up once in a while for the practices? Do they just work out when it is convenient? Do they ignore the coaches and just do what feels best to them? We all know the answer to these questions is a resounding “NO!” They must be at every practice! They must work out, do their best to get in the best physical shape possible! They must study play charts, listen to the coaches and do exactly what they are told to do the way they are told to do it. And, they must not just “get in shape”, they must do their best to stay in shape for their sport if they truly want to be winners.
Now, how does this apply to those who want to be faithful Christians? They must follow the exact same plan to be successful. They must work out and get into shape spiritually. They must listen to the coaches (God and His Son) and do exactly what they say exactly the way they say to do it. And, once there and going, it is also essential they “stay” in shape to be victorious in the end.
A ball player who half-heartedly works at his or her sport will not be successful. The same is true for the Christian who half-heartedly works at being a Christian, they will not be successful, they will not be saved eternally. Our God made this very plain for us through the apostle John in Revelation 2:10 where he says in the last part of that verse, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” What does it take to be faithful until death? The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 where he says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” Now, add to this what Paul says in Philippians 1:27, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” To be saved eternally will take extreme effort, constantly working out (spiritually) and then working to maintain that spiritual shape in serving God as He would have us to.
So, what kind of shape are you in spiritually?
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
So, what must we do and how must we do it in order to be in that number that will be saved?
Think about this, we are now beginning a new school year - public schools and colleges. That also means it is “sports” time. High school and college football, softball, soccer is starting to go strong. What does a young person have to do to be successful in their particular sport? Do they just show up once in a while for the practices? Do they just work out when it is convenient? Do they ignore the coaches and just do what feels best to them? We all know the answer to these questions is a resounding “NO!” They must be at every practice! They must work out, do their best to get in the best physical shape possible! They must study play charts, listen to the coaches and do exactly what they are told to do the way they are told to do it. And, they must not just “get in shape”, they must do their best to stay in shape for their sport if they truly want to be winners.
Now, how does this apply to those who want to be faithful Christians? They must follow the exact same plan to be successful. They must work out and get into shape spiritually. They must listen to the coaches (God and His Son) and do exactly what they say exactly the way they say to do it. And, once there and going, it is also essential they “stay” in shape to be victorious in the end.
A ball player who half-heartedly works at his or her sport will not be successful. The same is true for the Christian who half-heartedly works at being a Christian, they will not be successful, they will not be saved eternally. Our God made this very plain for us through the apostle John in Revelation 2:10 where he says in the last part of that verse, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” What does it take to be faithful until death? The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 where he says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” Now, add to this what Paul says in Philippians 1:27, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” To be saved eternally will take extreme effort, constantly working out (spiritually) and then working to maintain that spiritual shape in serving God as He would have us to.
So, what kind of shape are you in spiritually?
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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