“When I tell the righteous person that he will surely live, but he trusts in his righteousness and acts unjustly, then none of his righteousness will be remembered, and he will die because of the injustice he has committed.” – Ezekiel 33:13

This warning from God is a good news / bad news situation for Christians. The good news is that while we’re never righteous in ourselves, for all who are truly in Christ, we’re made righteous by God’s grace. The better news is that for all who are truly in Christ, we will persevere in that state of righteousness to the end.

However, what does it mean to truly be in Christ, to have saving faith in Jesus? Clearly it requires much more than a single decision to walk an aisle or raise our hand, because the Apostle Paul commands every Christian to examine ourselves to see if we’re in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Being in Christ is about far more than regular weekly church attendance (either in-person or online).

Are we truly following Jesus? Is our heart being increasingly shaped like His and caring about what He cares about? The Bible teaches that God is deeply concerned about widows, orphans, the poor, the immigrants living among us, fair business practices, and just legal systems. The heart of Jesus is bent toward saving the lost and caring for the hurting and vulnerable.

A Christian who casually dismisses concerns about injustice, who has little care for those in need, who can’t weep with those who weep when they look or sound different from them is probably not in Christ. A pattern of injustice or unconcern about injustice represents a life that is not likely in Christ. For those who are in Christ and come to recognize this unjust pattern in their life, it should be the source of deep concern, genuine repentance, and radical life change.

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” – Hebrews 12:3

Jesus gives us the only role model and inspiration we need when we grow exhausted, afraid, or anxious about continuing to do the right thing in a distressing world. Jesus perfectly did His Father’s will at all times. He did so in the face of ever-increasing opposition. He boldly preached, taught, and ministered knowing it would lead to His death on the cross. He suffered, He died, and He rose from the dead.

Now for all who follow Jesus, we’re called to take up our cross daily, deny ourselves (not indulge ourselves), and truly follow Him. How do we do that? How does thinking about Jesus help us stay energized and bold when all we sometimes want to do is curl up in a ball in our bedroom with the lights off?

First, we know that because He did what He did, we who believe in Him will also rise from the dead. Nobody can threaten a Christian with death because death is the doorway to glorious eternity with God. Death is the enemy of the unbeliever and the friend of the Christian.

Second, we know that the very same Jesus is united with us – we are one with Him. This was His prayer and our reality. When we’re weary, He invites us to yoke ourselves to Him and let Him do the heavy work to keep going (Matthew 11:28-30).

Third, we know that the Spirit of Christ lives within us. The same Spirit of boldness and faithfulness to God’s will lives in the heart of every single Christian. The same Spirit! We must rely on that Spirit rather than our own timid spirits.

This is a matter of inspiration, prayer, and empowerment in Christ. Look to Jesus and don’t grow weary or afraid!

“By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” – Hebrews 11:27

For many, 2020 has turned into a nearly endless test of endurance. How do we persevere and live without fear? It can’t be based on what we see, that’s for sure! Headlines are bad, numbers are terrible, tweets and posts are vile, relationships are strained, activities are curtailed, and routines are destroyed. How can we endure??? The same way Moses did: by faith.

We must have faith that the invisible God of the Universe is present with us, as He’s promised over and over. We must have faith as if we see Jesus Who lives in constant union with us. We must have faith as if we see the Holy Spirit Who lives within us, sealing and guaranteeing our future inheritance in heaven.

We must have faith in the person and promises of God. We must have faith that He is all-good, all-wise, and all-powerful, and that while there’s a ton we don’t understand, God is truly working all things together for good. We must have faith that God is our very present help. We must have faith that He hears every prayer and delights in our praying. We must have faith that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

We must have faith that God loves us so intensely, powerfully, passionately, and personally that He sent His only Son Jesus to suffer and die on a cross to save all who put their faith in Him from guilt, shame, sin, and death. We must have faith that our lives have purpose, meaning, and significance, no matter how painful, and that’s found in living and growing the Kingdom of God wherever He’s placed us in His wisdom. May you endure without fear, by faith!

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45

Service must be at the heart of every follower of Jesus. The Kingdom of God is a place of humble service rather than entitlement as we follow the sacrificial example of King Jesus.

On this day we thank everyone who has served this nation and purchased our earthly freedom at the risk, and often cost, of their lives. Thank you to all who have worn the uniform of this nation across the centuries to the present day!

May this day also remind us that as followers of Jesus we’re all called to serve sacrificially – our Lord, our neighbors, our families, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and the most vulnerable around us. Our Savior set the example for selfless service and we should each periodically reflect on where and how we’re called to serve.

No follower of Jesus ever truly retires from Kingdom service until we enter into glory, so if COVID or the challenges of life have temporarily taken you out of service, it’s time to seek God‘s will and resume serving!

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” – Hebrews 10:31

Let these few words sink in. They aren’t how we like to think about God, so carefully read them again, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” In our present day we major on the kindness, love, and mercy of God. These things are all wonderfully true. However, we must never forget the righteousness, holiness, and justice of God which are equally wonderfully true.

These qualities mean that terrible judgment waits for everyone who remains in sin and rebellion under God’s wrath. That’s every single person who draws breath who hasn’t yet been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Every single person you know who hasn’t yet put his or her faith in Jesus Christ is under God’s condemnation.

Take time to contemplate the horrors of a Christ-less eternity. An eternity of hopeless separation from God’s presence. An eternity of God’s rightful wrath. Every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory and standard. Every person is naturally under condemnation and the only rescue comes through the blood of Christ. We must believe in Jesus to receive God’s gracious redemption. There is no other way.

Our current, “You do you, I’ll do me” culture is simply a very wide and comfortable one-way highway into the hands of the living God! As followers of Jesus, we can’t be content with that. We must be praying for those we know who remain under God’s wrath. We must be loving them. And we must be sharing Christ with them. Who are you committed to offering salvation by introducing them to Jesus Christ?