Hold On

Lest he fall…1 Corinthians 10:12

Too often people want to reduce faith to catch phrases. They quote Scripture in part and not in whole: I can do all things in Christ…With God all things are possible…All things work for good…etc. Some of these phrases are misunderstood church doctrines: eternal security…once saved-always saved…perseverance of the saints…etc. They can be misleading. They can rob us of our freedom in Christ. 

Of these Paul wrote: Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except as in common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. Our ability to stand belongs to the Lord.

Both King David and the Apostle Peter tried to stand on their own and they fell. They fell hard. David had Bathsheba’s husband killed so he could have her as his wife. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times on the night Jesus was betrayed. Each of us may have our own example of falling. 

And our testimony of restoration. We continue in our faith because we are in Christ. Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith, Hebrews 12:2. We came to Jesus by our own free will. We stay in Christ by His eternal power. Our ability to remain in Christ is not ours. We can seriously stumble and fall. But we cannot fall out of Jesus Christ! We prevail, not by our might, but by the power of God! This is what being a disciple of Christ is all about. You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name, Deut. 10:20. Hold fast, don’t let go, for He will not let go of you!