Be Watchful

Some children play well by themselves.  An only child for 8 years, our oldest son could entertain himself for hours.  Give him a stick and an open field, and he seemed to be quite content and on his own little planet.

 

Spiritually speaking, to be left on our own is truly dangerous!  Our son’s imagination could render some exciting and harmless adventures, but what man’s sin-nature renders is anything but harmless. Paul gave warning to Christians who would depart their faith: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1, ESV).  How quickly, how easily, we argue never would we do such a thing!  Well, lay aside God’s Word, get too busy to pray, make worship and church an option – and yes, you’re now a target for Satan’s lies, deceit, schemes; you’re a potential departure of the faith. Paul’s warning is really quite simple: if you’re not working hard on your spiritual life, doing things to grow and stay close to God, you’re drifting away.  Left to ourselves, we will never grow in relationship with Christ.  Paul encourages a young pastor, which are good words for us all: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (4:16).  Let us be warned: be steadfast, be diligent, be never careless with our spiritual life. Be watchful!