“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 24
This is not a presentation of self-righteous perfection. That is a religious illusion of self-exalted thinking. No matter how spiritually advanced one may be, they are still of finite mind and imperfect flesh. “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 “And if any man think he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” 1 Corinthians 8:2
But God doesn’t forsake us to flounder in failure, or appoint us to be overwhelmed unto confusion and offense. We can see the fleshly imperfection of God’s Biblical servants. But we see differences. Some underwent their ups and downs while keeping their heart open to God and their eyes to discern His will. They remained constant in their determination to press on for the Lord. Whereas others never seemed to recover from their failures, but just continued to play the fool until there was no remedy. These differences are seen to be with what lies within what the people involved could control, rather than with that over which they had no control. Thus, the degree to which Christians overcome is seen to be in direct proportion to how they exercise their faith in God to obtain His deliverance through grace.
With these things in mind, the need is for Christians who exercise faith in their own decision and determination to remain on course with the Lord. Galatians 2:9 refers to James, Cephas, and John, “…who seemed to be pillars…” Their determination and consistency became a challenge to others, making a positive impression. No doubt many sins were discouraged by their teachings and stand that “…cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God.” No doubt many recovered from discouragement through seeing their steadfastness and undying hope. No doubt many a sour disposition was neutralized through being made ashamed by seeing their joy in being counted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Christ.
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30 God is looking for those who choose not to fall through the cracks, who won’t allow themselves to be swallowed up in bitterness and resentment, who will not permit themselves to abandon their responsibility to the will and way of God. His eyes are ever searching for the true, wholehearted person, 2 Chronicles 19:9.
It is within the grasp of real Christians to become that beloved servant. Fellow Christians are refreshed by such spiritual vitality. This is an unmistakable witness to the lost, and the rewards are unspeakable.
SHARING
