Not Falling Away

Pastor-Lees-Blog-2023-03-15T115923.039
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Not Falling Away

Acts 4:12
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (NIV)

 

Salvation is found in a person. Not only is there no one else but Jesus Christ, there is no other thing by which we can be saved. Salvation comes by faith so that no man may boast. We do not do good works to earn salvation. We do good works to honor Christ for His work of salvation in us.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he warns of false prophets who had already caused some to depart from the faith (2 Timothy 2:16). In Paul’s first letter, he warns of the love of money which causes people to wander from the faith (1 Timothy 6:10). In Hebrews, Paul teaches us that even those who have been enlightened, tasted the Heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age can still fall away from the faith (Hebrews 6:4-6). How can this be?

I would suggest that falling away from the faith occurs when we forget that salvation comes through a person, Jesus Christ. Our faithfulness is to Him. Salvation is not simply the commuting of an eternal death sentence. Salvation is given for the purpose of communion with Christ. All that we are called to do in Scripture has the end goal, the telos, of communion with God. Yet, when we do these things as if those actions are the telos, we fall into the trap of self-sufficiency as if we can serve God well enough to secure our salvation. As believers, we know that salvation is by faith and not works, but when we do those acts of service to God outside of the intended purpose of communion, it begins a slow fade. We may not completely fall away from the faith, but we can forfeit much of what God has for us.

Whether we are reading the Bible, going to church, or serving at the soup kitchen, we must take time to meditate on why we are doing these things. Through meditation, we posture our spirit in pursuit of communion and the things we do will lead us deeper into communion with Christ. Without orienting our spirit in works of service toward communion, we will inadvertently allow space between us and God.

Prayer: Lord, remind me that everything You call me to do is to help me draw nearer to You. Don’t let me miss the purpose behind the actions. And don’t let space come between us. Amen.

not falling away

Comment (1)

  1. Dave

    Yes Pastor I think that’s what happened to me. The slow fade. We will certainly be praying for you tomorrow and the Holy Spirit will bring all things to remembrance that he has taught you.

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