From the moment in time that we become a child of God through our obedience to him, we must strive to hold fast to our faith. One of the vital duties incumbent upon each one of us is that of ever making sure that we are strong in the Lord (1 Corinthians 16:13, Ephesians 6:10). Satan is constantly confronting us with all kinds of problems, temptations and inducements in an effort to weaken our faith and cause us to leave or forsake our God (1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 2:11,Ephesians 6:11, 16). In order to defeat the evil one, we need to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, we need to strive each day to become better informed of God's will for us. Do not err here. This will only happen if we put forth the effort to become stronger by feeding on the word of God (Hebrews 5:12-14, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Peter 1:5-11).
In order to make our faith sure and steadfast, we must set our affections on heavenly things (Colossians 3:1-2). When we come forth from that watery grave of baptism, we come forth in newness of life, a new creature in Christ ( Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17). As new creature in Christ, our thoughts, our desires are to be directed toward those things that are pure spiritually. Minds that are focused on things honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report will enable us to become stronger in our faith and result in a faith that is secure and not wavering (Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 23:7, Matthew 15:19).
Holding fast to our faith will result in our fulfilling our personal responsibilities in the church. We are a branch in Christ the vine (John15:1-8) and must bear fruit. We are a stone in the building)
1 Peter 2:5) and must do our part in supporting the truth by our example (1 Timothy 2:12). We are a candlestick and must shine (Matthew 5:14-16, Philippians 2:15-16).
As a young man, my high school years were spent at a small private school in which the entire student body was divided into two groups. These two groups competed against each other in various games throughout the year. The highlight of the year was the annual tug-o-war across the Harpeth River. I still recall my first tug-o-war. The rope was stretched out across the river, two groups of young men waiting nervously to start pulling. Prior to that start, one of our professors was walking up and down the line with words of encouragement. Someone shouted out, "What do we do". I will never forget his answer, "You hold on for dear life and do not let go of that rope!!" My friends, spiritually, that is what I am shouting out to one and all today, "HOLD ON TO YOUR FATIH FOR DEAR LIFE AND NEVER, NEVER LET GO OF IT". Your eternal destiny is at stake.
Charles Hicks
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