KEEP THE FAITH!

Can I pray for you in any way?

Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.

In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has ascended into Heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.

Hebrews 4:14-15

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

If you spend your time every day either reading, listening, or watching the news, you will probably find yourself feeling pretty discouraged. We’re reminded constantly that we live in a sinful, evil world where people give into the leadings of the devil and commit acts of atrocity towards others.

This consistent bombardment of reminders about the wickedness of the world can often remind us that we too are sinful, having fallen short of doing right over and over and over again. The end result is ever present and lingering feelings of shame and self condemnation.

Maybe you’ve been there. Maybe...you’re there right now.

All and all, it’s totally depressing and that’s why we find the Word of God, the Word that is sharper than any double edged sword and able to penetrate deep into our hearts and minds, providing us a great reminder to hold onto as we deal with our faults and the shortcomings of our world. Look at these words found in verses 14 and 15 or Hebrews, chapter 4:

Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has ascended into Heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.

The message here is simple.

Keep the faith!

For no matter how bad things might be on earth, Jesus still sits at the right hand of God in authority over all things in Heaven and on earth. He and God are One (John 10:30) and in complete control, no matter how it might appear otherwise. We need to trust this truth and “hold firmly to the faith we profess”, never allowing it to leave our hearts and minds.

As for our own sinfulness, we need to remember it’s something innate within us, an incurable, genetic disease that traces back to the progenitors of the human race, Adam and Eve. Our God fully knew we were sinners when He willingly decided to initiate a salvation plan so no one would have to perish and everyone would have the opportunity to gain eternal life through His only Son (John 3:16). All one is required to do is simply believe in Jesus and not only will be saved but have the very condemnation and its associated judgment wrath of God removed (Romans 8:1).

This is because Jesus just wasn’t the Son of God and Savior of the world but also the supreme High Priest. Unlike the Jewish Levite high priests before Him, Jesus didn’t offer up grain or incense or animal sacrifices for atonement. Rather, He gave up Himself as the perfect unblemished Lamb who would be slain to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29) and in doing so, became the Holy Intercessor for all sinners, justifying all who would believe in Him.

Friends, no matter how terrible things appear here on earth, God’s Word is telling us to “keep the faith”. Jesus is still on His throne and is coming back again to judge this world but it’s something Christian believers need not worry about for Jesus has already conquered death and the grave, and one day, we will too.

So rest easy, today and every day...because in Him, our present and future are secure.  

Thanks be to God for the unbelievable, unmerited, undeserved gift of His Son.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.