Even If i Walk Alone

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

Matthew

Read the Book

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I’ve written nearly a million words (true story!) since this blog began back in 2010. Today, as I sat down to write the next instalment, it occurred to me that for all that writing, the only value I can add to anyone is pointing to what is written in the Word of God. No matter how clever the phrase or profound the thought, it is utterly meaningless because all truth is found in the Word of God (John 17:17).

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There is no wisdom apart from knowing Christ (Job 28:28; Colossians 2:3). Nothing I write will ever save your soul. Only the power of God’s Word can do that (Romans 1:16). So, as much as I genuinely appreciate you reading my work, if it’s a choice between reading this and spending some time in God’s Word, then I implore you to put this down and pick up your Bible.

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Proactive Prayers

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How often do we hear about the needs of another and say that we will pray for them? It’s a common occurrence in the life of every Christian. We know the best thing we can do for someone struggling is to pray. When friends are going through a rough period, we might pray for weeks to intercede on their behalf. It’s one of the beautiful things about the body of Christ. We love to pray for each other.

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Did you ever stop and consider how most of our prayers are reactive rather than proactive? How often do we pray for the spiritual vitality of our fellow believers? How often do we pray for their strength to endure persecution and trials before they occur? I am convinced we need to be praying proactive prayers for ourselves and others. I’m also convinced we don’t do it enough.

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Cheap Christianity

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Consider the following quote from J. C. Ryle: “There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough – a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice – which costs nothing, and is worth nothing.” What’s remarkable is Bishop Ryle died in 1900, yet his observation over a hundred years ago is as relevant today as it was then.

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A quick survey of modern churches reveals a group of pastors, elders, and lay people who are bending over backward to accommodate and avoid offending any and everyone. It’s never been easier to attend a church and not have it cost you a thing, especially in the West. In most places, you can slip in and out and no one will even notice you were there. This is beyond cheap Christianity!

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Choose Your Friends Wisely

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“Choose your friends wisely” is an adage with profound spiritual implications. Many choose their friends based on shared interests in things in this world, be it sports teams, fashion, food, or entertainment choices. In my experience and observation, very few choose their relationships based on how spiritually nourishing they think they will be.

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This begs the question of why we would want friends who lead us into a deeper appreciation of things of the flesh rather than those who would help us grow closer to God. If our goal is to live wholly devoted to Christ, we’re going to need to surround ourselves with people who will help us along that path.

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Few Are Going to Heaven

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The greatest burden of my life is the conviction that so many, perhaps even most people who proclaim to be Christians are not. It’s not the first time I’ve written about this, and it won’t be the last. That’s what happens when a burden is constantly crushing down on you. When I look around at the modern church, and even more broadly at the industries that have sprung up around it, my soul aches for those who think they are on one path but in reality are on another.

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To quote J. C. Ryle, “According to the men of the world, few are going to hell; According to the Bible, few are going to heaven.” The great tragedy of our day is not that we aren’t bringing more lost people into the body of Christ, but that so many lost people believe they are already in the body of Christ.

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