To become steadfast in faith, you need to make a decision to accept what is deemed truth. You accept without objection to what you know to be absolute truth. You endure without yielding, remaining stable in all circumstances for you know that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
Steady faith is the kind of faith that is needed so you don’t lose your focus. Let this past weekend ignite a spark within your heart. Christ did not resurrect for you just so you can go back to your normal routine.
It is time to live different. It is time to show Christ that what He did for you has changed you.
The best way to abide in Christ is to fill yourself up with His Word. Knowing the Bible is the fuel that your spirit needs so it can know how to function properly, for when the spirit is alive and well, your body and mind will follow along becoming what God intended. You will become the perfect mate to your spouse, the perfect parent to your child, the perfect friend, neighbor, co-worker, etc.
Life works when you live accordingly to God’s plan.
Look at John 15:4-5 and think about a vine. Jesus says, “Remain (or abide) in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” You are not a solo act. You are made to be connected in an intimate, personal way with God. Jesus came to make this a reality.
Further down in John 15 you see how vital it is to remain steady in faith, “When you obey my commandments, you remain in My love, just as I obey My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.”10 You are to follow Jesus’ example. He did nothing without the consent from His Father. He listened and heeded God’s voice, see John 8:28.
The Bible tells you how to remain steady in faith. Colossians 3:1-3 says, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Steady faith is deliberate and focused. Jesus was never haphazard in His mission. He came to learn what God wanted Him to learn and then lived it out. He fully obeyed. It is no different for you and me.
The Bible also gives us a warning to heed so we remain in faith mode. Romans 8:9-10 says, “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. Remember, those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them, they do not belong to Him at all. Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.”
Finally, “Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with Him, and He with them. We know He lives in us because the Spirit He gave us lives in us.” (1 John 3:24) Because of Christ’s sacrifice, He made the way to redemption by resurrecting from the dead. When you receive His offering, you and Christ become one. Your life takes on a whole new look as you live a whole new way.
Don’t let your normal routine deaden the reality of Easter. Keep your faith alive and focused as you live out your days for Him. Look up at your Savior and Lord, Look down into His Word. It will rejuvenate your weary soul and help you to stay focused on Christ. Listen to God’s voice and do as He leads. Quite simply, be like Jesus and the world will become a better place.
Carol J German 