I was in a gathering some time ago, and I was opportune to sit at a table where everyone on that table were true disciples of Jesus Christ. We were about ten in number. We had an amazing fellowship, as we ignored the happenings and going on around us. The fellowship was truly uplifting. But one thing we all agreed on was the fervour we all had at the onset of coming to the LORD; many on the table are now struggling to walk in. The beauty about the fellowship was no one tried to pretend to be more than they were, and no one was judging or looking down on the one who seemed to be struggling in his faith amongst us. It was truly a refreshing time, as we prayed together and we strongly believe that the faith of those that were waning had been restored back to the LORD. This was a blessing!
There are so many children of God that sincerely love the LORD in their living and service, but the fire is no longer there: "‘I know your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and impostors; and [I know that] you [who believe] are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and that you have not grown weary [of being faithful to the truth]" (Revelation 2:2-3, AMP).
However, daily, they are faced with the struggle of life, coupled with strange teachings from the pulpit that seek to draw the attention of the people away from God to mundane things through the empty teaching of the philosophies of men. These mouth they love God, but their actions daily prove otherwise. For as many who are unable to discern, these strange teachings amplify their egos and make them believe they are better and superior to those who do not know the LORD as much as they do. Thus, they throw out the love of God they had at the beginning and replace it with a judgemental, critical, and a religious spirit.
To these ones, the service of God becomes mechanical and hypocritical! They were not like this in the beginning. In fact, when they just gave their lives to the LORD, they were amazing: "But remember the earlier days, when, after being [spiritually] enlightened, you [patiently] endured a great conflict of sufferings, sometimes by being made a spectacle, publicly exposed to insults and distress, and sometimes by becoming companions with those who were so treated" (Hebrews 10:32-33, AMP). The things of the world did not matter to them, they strived to live lives that would please the LORD daily. Sadly, when the waves of the issues of life washed over them, they could not hold on to the purity of their faith.
Beloved, if we must reign with Him at the end, we must not only endure to the end, but our love for the LORD and His people must not burn out. We must remember that the love for God and His people is one and the same: "But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behaviour—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent" (Revelation 2:4-5, AMP).
Yes, many of the teachings from the pulpit may not declare the truth of our LORD as it should, but like Berean Christians, we must search out the truth for ourselves by going back to search the Scriptures! If we don't, weariness and leanness of the soul enter the man and begin to change his inner man towards the things of God. For the LORD is watching our daily living and each one of us will be rewarded accordingly when He returns.
The love we claim to have must be demonstrated daily in our standing on the truth of God's Word in sincerity of heart no matter what the enemy throws at us: "Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward. For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised" Hebrews 10:35-36, AMP). God bless you as you do a check of your heart and readjust your focus. Your Father is waiting!
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