Faith & Duty

 

    When you claim to be a Christian, then you are claiming to live a life of faith.  A life of faith hold a level of duty.  This thanksgiving we should reflect on all that God has done for us.  Take a deep inventory of all that He has done for you and the gifts that he has given you to make you the beautiful person that you are.

    Temptation is all around.  It will hit you and hard sometimes.  It loves to come when you are vulnerable or weak.  You can fall into it's pit or you can choose to keep your focus on God.  Your relationship with Jesus is the only thing that will get you through it to the point that it is no longer a lingering temptation.  Giving into temptation can be a stumbling block for other people.  People are watching and waiting for you to fail.  It happens, but they are also watching to see how you handle the failure.  Get back up, repent, and move forward.  If you repent, then you are forgiven.

    To fall into temptation and not repent is a woeful and bitter things.  It leads to all kinds of trouble.  It can destroy the things that matter most to you in life.  If you choose your own selfish desires over a relationship with Jesus, then falling into temptation (sin) will have your life.  It will claim it and send you where you would never want to be.  

    Watch over your own heart and mind.  Feed it with God's Word daily to have a chance to overcome evil.  Rebuke those that try to get you to fall into temptation.  It is probably not to harm you.  They probably just don't understand and need to be informed.  Once they see their mistake, then they can repent and start viewing things differently.  To rebuke is not to confront a person, but to be an act of love.  

    If you love a person, then you want what is best for them.  You want them forgiven as you want to be forgiven.  That means when it is your time to be rebuked, then you need to accept it.  Look at where it is coming from.  If the rebuke comes from a place of jealousy or hate, then shrug it off.  However, if it comes from a place of love ask yourself why you need it.  Ponder over how you need to change for your own sake.

    The first step is forgiveness.  The offender may never change, but you need to find a place in your heart to forgive them.  That means you may need to forgive on a daily basis because the offense may not go away.  That is challenging.  Some days will be more difficult than others.  Forgiveness is a never ending cycle.  

    The second step is to increase your faith.  Faith enables you to do anything that God ask of you.  It empowers you in ways that you may not be aware of just yet, but it is deep within you.  It aides you in changing your life.  Work at your faith everyday and one day you will see the reward.  We should never stop growing our faith.  The roots should only get deeper and deeper over time.

    Do as the Bible instructs you.  Allow the Holy Spirit guide you in that area.  It is your duty to live out your faith in a manner that honors God.  Live out your faith like he is returning today.  Treat your thanksgiving meal like your last meal.  It should have value to you and the people you are celebrating with.

    

Luke 17