Preservation and Trust

Christians are faced with numerous types of warfare and influences, in this world. And this is fundamentally a logical consequence of our faith. Jesus said in John 15:20 ''Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...'' And we are also persecuted by ideologies, half-truths, heresies, illusions, self-portrayers, demonic teachings and even our own instincts, lusts and desires originating from within our hearts (Matthew 15:18-19) that war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11). On the one hand we must be aware of this, and on the other hand it should not cause us to become fearful or despairing because the greatest obstacle in which this world is caught and is enslaved by, namely sin, is already overcome, for all believers: Jesus said: ''These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.'' (John 16:33) Even though we have put sin to death (Romans 6:11) we still have to live with its consequences. We also sometimes place too high expectations upon ourselves. The difference between us and unbelievers is, that we are no longer servants to sin, but can live in faith. Our part is to live by that which we believe. As Christians have been forgiven of their sin, we are also able to claim that which is written in 1 John 5:18 “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” It is ultimately not in our power to preserve and keep ourselves, as we have also not saved and made ourselves righteous (1 Corinthians 6:11). However, that which Paul wrote in Romans 6:1-2 still applies: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Grace understood leads us through sanctification (without which no-one will see God) to a righteous result. Certainly not to perfection or flawlessness, but to a new outlook and acknowledgement of our sin.

The inheritance of God is incorruptible, undefiled, fades not away and is reserved for every believer. We are kept solely by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, and by nothing else (1 Peter 1:3-8). Persecutions and warfare are a certainty for Christians (1 Thessalonians 3:3). Certainly not all the time, nor over and above our capabilities or what we can endure, but as a probation period which leads to spiritual maturity. Paul wrote to the Corinthians to give them assurance: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Not to necessarily endure it gladly, however to endure it nevertheless. That is what counts. When we, in our daily life of faith, live in such a manner, we draw positive joy and obedient gratitude, even from our afflictions. Then we are able to be overcomers in our daily lives and our faith becomes a true and precious, active and visible faith (1 Peter 1:3-8). David wrote in Psalm 37:28-29 “For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” Believers can ascribe this righteousness only to Jesus Christ, not to works, nor to perseverance and nor to law. Paul wrote in Romans 3:25-28 “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Amen.

Jörg Bauer