Thinx 87: Holding On and Being Upheld

Everyday, it's you I live for
Everyday, I'll follow after you
Everyday, I'll walk with you, my lord

— "Everyday", Hillsong United.

I sing it often. Pity it's not true. Sometimes I don't live for God; sometimes I live for others or live for myself. The gap between what I sing and what I am oscillates.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

— John 10:28 (ESV)

It's just as well Jesus holds me. If my salvation depended upon my efforts alone, there'd be no hope for me.

© Copyright Bruce M. Axtens, 2015

Thinx 84: Following the Crowd

“You must not follow a crowd in doing evil things; in a lawsuit you must not offer testimony that agrees with a crowd so as to pervert justice,

— Exodus 23:2 (NET)

Even if the crowd has important people in it; even if men and women in lab coats with doctorates say it's a good thing; even if the law of the land sanctions what God forbids; Even if your parents or your spouse or your children think it's OK or least socially acceptable.

I fear God. I know he's not to be trifled with.

© Copyright Bruce M. Axtens, 2015

Thinx 83: Hiding the Cost of Discipleship

strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

— Acts 14:22 (ESV)

It is unfair not to tell new believers about the inevitable outcome of their choice to believe the Gospel; focusing purely on the wonderful plan that God indeed has for one's future makes for shallow disciples who are thus left unprepared for the schemes and screams of the flesh, the world, and the Devil.

Making the gospel attractive is one thing; being knowingly evasive about the consequences of faith is quite another.

© Copyright Bruce M. Axtens, 2015