News and Updates

April 1, 2021

David Copeland · May 1, 2021

Newsletter · Volume: 21 Issue: 4

So far in our study of faith, we have written about the faith to start, then the faith to endure. This month, I want to focus on having faith to finish.

We all know people who began to walk with the Lord, but because of the fiery trials that come against every believer, they have fallen away and no longer even confess Christianity. Many people would argue they never really had a genuine commitment to Jesus Christ to begin with so that is why they fell away. There is not enough room in this forum to discuss that part of this subject, all I know is I want to help people develop the faith the finish!

In Hebrews 10:36, Paul gives a great exhortation to all of us on the need to finish strong:

“For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.”

There were so many people that began walking with the Lord and even began in ministry the same time I did, but today they are nowhere to be found. I am not saying this judgmentally, I am saying this with a broken heart.

I wonder, instead of really pursuing the making of disciples, we have created “followers” of our churches and ministries, never warning people there are some things we will have to endure as a true believer of Jesus Christ. When people committed their lives to Jesus at the start of the first century, they did so knowing there was a very good possibility they would have to die for their faith.

Something else that has been lost in our quest to live long and happy lives on the earth is that one day we will have to give an accounting of our lives to God. No matter how long you live, eventually you will die. It IS important for us to eat right, exercise, get enough rest, and take care of our bodies for they ARE the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16)

But eventually we will die.

And when we come to the end of this life, everything we have accomplished while living on this earth will be piled into a pile as we stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ (or the Great White Throne Judgement for unbelievers) and the fire of God will judge all we have ever done, said, and accumulated. Will anything be left standing?

Paul gives us this warning in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15:

“11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

May God help us to finish our race on this earth strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, so we can hear those sweet words that only God can speak, “well done, good and faithful servant!”