Continuing In The Faith

Jesus Himself gives the terms by which we may have our sins forgiven. Upon one’s faith that Jesus is the Son of God and willingness to repent of sin, confess Jesus as Christ and be baptized, his or her sins are forgiven. But what comes next? Anything?

Yes - something comes next. Once again, let’s see what Jesus says. His words in Matthew 10:22 say, “...he that endures to the end shall be saved.” and in Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Jesus tells us that, having obeyed the terms to have our sins forgiven, we must continue in that condition.

Paul says in Colossians 1:21-23 that we may be presented before Him “...holy and blameless and beyond reproach - if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the gospel that you have heard….” One must continue in the faith in order to be presented acceptable to God.

Hebrews 6:4-6 points out that “...those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit…” could and did fall away. In 2 Peter 2:20-22 Peter emphasizes that if those who “...have escaped the defilements of the world through knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ … are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is worse than the first.” If one is lost before escaping the defilements of the world (and he is) then he is lost if, after escaping, he returns to the world of sin.

But what, then, if I sin after having obeyed the terms Jesus has given for forgiveness of sins? John sums this up in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God has given us the avenue for forgiveness when we make mistakes. It is when one does not seek forgiveness and is overcome that he removes himself from the salvation once given through Christ.

Let us heed the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

See you when the Saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony