"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" 1 Corinthians 10:12
Elian Larregina seemed destined to win the under-18 championships in Nairobi last week. At the sound of the gun, he immediately launched to the front of the pack in the 400-meter quarterfinal race and remained there until the final stretch. But to everyone's surprise, Elian stumbled at the 399 meter mark, just one meter short of success, and fell. Larregina eventually picked himself up but finished the race last and, at 17-years-old, dashed any dream he had of placing in the under-18 event.
While we may never know why this young runner stumbled, I think we would all agree that it was even more of a tragedy that he did so with the finish line in plain sight. Sadly, though, this is the exact thing that happens to many Christians. You see, the moment a person deems themselves to be running so well that they are surely "standing firm" and in no danger of falling, they can become 'spiritually smug'. And this prideful self-assurance that no sin could ever possibly cause them to stumble is the reckless attitude that leads them into doing that very thing.
So, today, "if you think you are standing firm" and so spiritually strong that you can be around or viewing sin without partaking in it, "be careful" my friend. Even the best of Christians have taken a fall while doing so... even with the finish line in clear sight.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that clearly tells us that pride in our spiritual walk always opens us up to spiritual falls. Help us to stay so humbled and focused on you and your precepts that we run the race well our whole lives until we cross that finish line into eternity. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment