I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find that I’m unknowingly holding tight to the wrong things. It is easy to start clinging to things without realizing it…because we are meant to cling. Although, what we’re meant to cling to is God.
We are born to fight for our faith and pursue righteousness. We are called to hold tightly to eternal life.
But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. And I charge you before God, Who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, Who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 1 Timothy 6:11-14
Fight the good fight for the true faith. If we are called to fight for true faith, then that would suggest that there is also fake faith. What does this mean?
When we learn to hold tight to eternal life, we are holding tight to truth. To the Spirit of Truth. Jesus.
I know it may seem that I’m repeating myself a lot lately, but I am so burdened to implore you all to keep the One thing, the main thing. I will continue to put this call out into the world. I will continue to cry out for focus on Jesus…because the enemy of distraction is so prevalent. We must be ever vigilant to train our focus. We must lead lives of self-control, so we aren’t persuaded by the wrong influences.
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28
Our countries porous border is merely a reflection of the lack of self-control in most Americans lives. For years, the enemy has chipped away at our desire for self-control by tricking people into blaming everyone else for their own faults, decisions, laziness, and short comings. This is simply the truth.
Parents have raised children who know nothing about accountability and facing consequences. Instead, they blame teachers, other students, neighbors…and anyone else so they can still feel good about themselves. In selfishness and pride parents have raised kids this way. And, “Why?”, you may be asking…because the parents want to feel like they are perfect. They raise entitled and irresponsible kids so they can feel like they don’t do wrong.
News flash: We all fall short of the glory of God. Mistakes are a part of life. We should be learning from them, not avoiding them.
How can you hold tight to eternal life, if you are unwilling to admit you make mistakes?
It’s time for a season of true honesty to come to the body of Christ.
God, please forgive me for anytime that I have refused to take responsibility for my own mistakes. Forgive me for any time I’ve blamed others for my kid’s mistakes. Teach me your ways, O Lord. I want to live a life holding tight to eternal life to which God has called me. Open my eyes to Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
365 Days in the Presence 