Being Faithful to the Finish - Isaiah 37-38 and Colossians 3
The story of Hezekiah teaches us one very important lesson. We must remain faithful to the Lord and growing as a believer as long as we are alive. We must not get lax at any point and neglect to seek the Lord in every way. Hezekiah's life was a great example of trusting God, as he prayerfully believed in God to deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrians. God honored his faithful prayers. God even granted him 15 more years of life, because he prayed. However, during those extra years, Hezekiah failed to continue seeking in the Lord and some terrible things happened. Therefore, we must realize that it is not the length of our lives that matter as much as the quality of our lives. Quality comes from our relationship with God remaining strong until the day we go to be with him. In reality, Hezekiah did not finish his life well. That is a sad testimony.
Colossians 3 is an exhortation to live a quality life in God's power. Paul is addressing believers. They have been saved, and their sins have been forgiven. That is not the end of the Christian life, but it is the beginning. Once we are saved, we must go on with the Lord to the finish. We must seek the things above and set our minds on those things continually. We must make a diligent effort to put off the fleshly attitudes and actions, and to put on the attitudes and actions of Christ. In fact, we must get to where all we do is done for the Lord. This is a continuous process of growing in the Lord until we die or Jesus comes. We must not be complacent, or else we will fall like Hezekiah. Please, don't ruin a good testimony for the Lord by failing to be faithful to the finish.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 39-40 and Colossians 4.
Colossians 3 is an exhortation to live a quality life in God's power. Paul is addressing believers. They have been saved, and their sins have been forgiven. That is not the end of the Christian life, but it is the beginning. Once we are saved, we must go on with the Lord to the finish. We must seek the things above and set our minds on those things continually. We must make a diligent effort to put off the fleshly attitudes and actions, and to put on the attitudes and actions of Christ. In fact, we must get to where all we do is done for the Lord. This is a continuous process of growing in the Lord until we die or Jesus comes. We must not be complacent, or else we will fall like Hezekiah. Please, don't ruin a good testimony for the Lord by failing to be faithful to the finish.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 39-40 and Colossians 4.