Keep the Faith

"God has called us to live holy lives" (1 Thessalonians 4:7), but it's easy to stray if our devotion is less than wholehearted:

"I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands." Psalm 119:10

Many people come to faith in Jesus with fervor and single-mindedness but gradually slip back into their former ways of life.

It's usually a gradual move, a slow change in one's perspective, a desire to fit in with culture or seek worldly goals.

Some methods of evangelism attract people to the Gospel by promising an easy life of peace, joy, and love. They never explain that there's a cost for following Christ (Luke 14:27-33). 

Perhaps that's why so many Christians are deceived by false "feel good" teachings (example). And it has surely contributed to the popular false teachings of ex-vangelical "wilderness wanderers." The parable of the sower defines back-sliders as rocky ground converts or converts who end up choking on the thorns of life.

So let's make sure that we never lower God's standards to suit our lifestyle. Instead, let's judge our goals, values, and "treasures" by Scripture, seeking God with all our hearts, refusing to stray from His commands. 
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This is part series on Psalm 119:9-16. Read entire series HERE.

I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first 4 devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon. In addition, you can buy the book in Kindle format on Amazon and as an ebook on Barnes and Noble.

 

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