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It is a sober reality that faith can indeed be lost, shipwrecked,
and departed from. Many Christians think that once they exercise faith
in Jesus Christ that the continuation of that faith is somehow automatic,
but scripture does not bear this out.
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil
heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God."--Hebrews
3:12
Why do Christians (brethren) depart from the living God? Because of
the deceitfulness of sin. "But exhort one another daily, while it
is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin."--Hebrews 3:13 It is possible to become
hardened toward God because of the sneaky nature of sin, and believers
must help each other to stay out of sin.
"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning
of our confidence steadfast unto the end."--Hebrews 3:14 Faith
must be kept until the end--until our lives have ended or Christ
returns for us. The faith that saves is an enduring faith; it must be
maintained by the ministry of Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith.
The Lord tries our faith: "Knowing this that the trying of
your faith worketh patience."--James 1:3, 4
""...now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness
through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much
more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with
fire, might be found unto praise and honour..."--1 Pet. 6, 7
It is critical to hold onto the person of the Lord Jesus Christ
that you may inherit the promises of everlasting life. The only way
you can get to him is by faith..."...through faith and patience
inherit the promises."--Hebrews 6:12
Losing patience with God during the trials and tribulations of life is the
primary way that believers cast away their faith. John the Baptist,
who obeyed God completely, was arrested and languished in a prison. He
sent his disciples to ask Jesus this question: "Art thou he that
should come? or look we for another?"--Luke 7:20
John the Baptist, who had baptized Jesus, and had witnessed the
Holy Ghost coming down upon him in bodily form like a dove, was now
questioning whether the was the true Christ! Things were not turning
out as John had expected. His faith was being tried, and Jesus
understood this. He responded, "Go your way, and tell John what
things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk,
the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the
poor the gospel is preached. AND BLESSED IS HE WHO IS NOT OFFENDED IN
ME."--Luke 7:22, 23
Even John the Baptist was having a trying of faith, and Jesus
helped him through it. John was close to becoming offended in the Lord
Jesus Christ, and losing patience with him. Jesus' answer helped John
to endure in faith to the end. "Knowing this, that the trying of
your faith worketh patience."--James 1:3
Jesus told his disciples, "In your patience possess ye your
souls" RIGHT AFTER he warned them that "ye shall be betrayed
both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of
you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all
men for my name's sake." See Luke 21:16-19
Patience and continuing in faith go together because of the
tribulation that is promised us as Christians: "Confirming the
souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith,
and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of
God."--Acts 14:22
Please continue to have faith in the righteous, holy and caring
Lord Jesus Christ. Tribulation worketh patience, but it can also work
to cause offense and a departing from the faith, IF we give in to
unbelief in the goodness of God while we are suffering in this life.
I pray that you would "hold fast the confidence and the
rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Heb. 3:6
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