Even If i Walk Alone

Instructing and encouraging you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus

Ephesians

Called to This

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There is an uncomfortable truth that is not discussed enough from our pulpits or in our conversations. Being a follower of Christ means we are going to suffer. We know it’s true because we are called to this. (1 Peter 2:21; Philippians 1:29-30) Depending on what country you live in, and for some, even in what part of your country, you will face different degrees of persecution.

But all Christians will suffer for the sake of Christ because the gospel is offensive to those who refuse to bow to the Lordship of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Peter 2:7-8) He promised us this would happen, and if it’s not happening to you yet, then it will in the days to come. (John 15:18-20; 2 Timothy 3:12) We need to be ready. (1 Peter 4:12-13; 1 Peter 3:14-15)

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All Time is God’s Time

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I hate being interrupted. And by hate, I mean HATE. Few things set my teeth more on edge than having what I’m doing preempted by a phone call or an uninvited guest. It’s not just when I’m writing, but true in all aspects of my life. When I am engaging in any activity, I’m all in and don’t want to think about anything else until I’m done.

Having shared my home with 14 Shetland Sheepdogs over my life, my wife swears I am part Sheltie. The breed is task-oriented to maniacal extremes. Perhaps she’s right. More probable is the fact that I’m just selfish. It would serve me much better to remember that all time is God’s time.

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One Life to Live

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This life is finite. From the moment we are born, the clock begins ticking down the seconds of our life. No matter what we do or who we become, we will live once, and then we will die. (James 4:14; Psalm 90:10) We have a responsibility to steward the days entrusted to us in a way that is worthy of Christ dying on the cross. He didn’t sacrifice Himself so we could spend our days on trivialities and pleasure.

He died so we might have life to the fullest and most holy extent. (John 10:10; 1 Peter 2:24) How dare we waste it on selfish living, lust, gluttony, and greed? (1 Peter 4:1-3; Ephesians 5:15-18) That’s grotesque. We have one life, and when it’s gone, it’s gone. Or perhaps more sobering, we have one life to live, and after this, the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27-28; 2 Corinthians 5:10) How, then, should we live?

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Obedient to Christ

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What if I told you there was one thing you could do that would make every choice and decision so obvious that you would never have to second-guess yourself? There is one habit you can cultivate that makes everything else in your life easier and less stressful. The best part is that you already know what it is and how to do it.

The key to always knowing what to do and living with less stress and more joy is to always be obedient to Christ. (John 15:10-11) When we live in the habit of obedience, we will always know what to do because it’s the thing that is consistent with Christ’s character and glorifies Him. (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:8-10) Things only get blurry when we put our desires before His desires for us.

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The Mercy of God

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How much time do you spend thinking about the mercy of God? If you are like me, not enough! God is holy, and His standard for our lives is holiness. (1 Peter 1:15-16; Leviticus 19:2) Not one of us can measure up to that. Every one of us has sinned and fallen short of the standard. (Romans 3:23) The penalty for such failure is death. (Romans 6:23) Those are God’s rules, and if we don’t like them, then we don’t understand what it means to be holy.

Holiness cannot tolerate sin because if it did, that holiness would be lost. (Habakkuk 1:13; Psalm 5:4-5) As sinful beings, we then have no hope of escaping God’s judgment. (Hebrews 9:27; Romans 2:5-6) No hope, that is, except for the mercy of God. He loves us so much that He made a way to deliver us from His just wrath and punishment. (Romans 5:8-9; Ephesians 2:4-5)

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