"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7 There have been many reports in the news lately about "Christians" who have stopped fighting the good fight of faith and have returned to the way of the world. I am not surprised by the world's response which is seemingly accepting and merciful, full of love and compassion. But that is not the true compassion which will encourage to one to overcome. I am saddened for those who have fallen who still believe they will be forgiven and accepted by Christ regardless of how far away the life they've chosen has become to the Word of God. Many will be, and are being, deceived in these last days and are falling away from the faith, but they don't know it. They believe the lie that says a loving God will not judge, that thier sins will overlooked. God is merciful and longsuffering and His love and patience knows no bounds, yet He has given us a pattern, a standard to live by; it is His truth, His living Word. That is His mercy and grace, He has offered us a way out through His Word, His Son, which will not pass away, He will not return void (without purpose), but will accomplish everything for which He was sent. The prize is given to those who overcome, not to those who give up because it's too hard fighting the sin nature of man.
"You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." II Peter 3:17-18
I urge you, don't give up the fight you are in for Christ-likeness! Be Holy as He is Holy. Trials and struggles in our Christian walk are common to us, but God will make a way out. We must continue to stand firm in our faith against the wiles of the devil, crucifying our own flesh daily. Those lusts of the flesh are not how God created us, we were not born this way to stay this way, it is a result of the sin nature inherited by the fall of the man, Adam. But now we have a new inheritance because we are of a new family with a new nature. We are now new creatures in Christ Jesus; the old man has passed away and Behold! ALL things are now made new. Repentance IS a gift, and the first step to restoring a right and righteous relationship with our Father. Do not be deceived! Do not accept the lie that says God created you to be in direct opposition to His Word! Our Father has created us to be in fellowship with Him, but first we must overcome, we must be cleansed by the blood of Jesus to be able to walk through that veil which has separated us from our Father. Jesus said, "
"I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep," he said. "All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. " John 10:7-9
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."
Matthew 7:13
