Only through Jesus can we leave this life in death and know for sure that our place will one day be in heaven. We may have to wait in paradise until judgment is set, which will also be wonderful. However, after judgment is over, eternal life in heaven will be our reward. This is why it is important to be found seeking His hand every day of our life. We do this through constant prayer, reading the Bible daily, and by living and obeying what God leads us in. This is done so that when evil men or women try to sway us into believing any doctrines of men, we will be able to spot them quickly and run away. Paul even spoke of this and said, “beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.” (Colossians 2:8-11) So endure in your faith in Christ, and you will be kept secure in His matchless arms. His strength will carry you through all life’s journeys and trials that will come your way.
Paul also spoke of Christ and said that we are “buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” (Colossians 2:12-14) Baptism is where we die to our old life and are raised up anew in Christ Jesus. We are dead to our sins, having been forgiven through the blood of Jesus. He died for us all on the cross that He may suffer for our wrongdoings and not us after we die. Therefore, remember to “(Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:21-23) Only Jesus can save us and not a church. Through Christ alone we stand, not by what we could ever do on our own, but what He is able to do in us. Praise Him, for He is worthy to save the least of us.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord and my God, keep me and others in the faith strong in what is right and praiseworthy. Keep our hands from doing anything that would go against Your will. I do not wish to do anything that would jeopardize my place with You in heaven. What I have already established in this life with You is more precious than gold. Help me to never lose Your presence. The devil wishes to lure me away from following You. He tries daily to tempt me into doing things that appear to be good on the surface, but I know will only lead me to be more guilty in the end. Even as I think about my day today and this week, I know that I have done things that were wrong and sinful. Forgive me of my sins. I no longer wish to do them again. Help me live differently. Build a wall round about my life, that the evil one will not cause me to fall again. Put in me an upright heart that only desires to serve You and You alone. Not to serve sin any longer, but the power and will of the Holy Spirit. I love You more than anything that I currently own or do. Rip out of my life anything that has its roots in darkness, that Your light will be the only thing that dwells therein. I love Your commands, for they bring me peace as I obey them. I do what You say, for I love You, God. Amen.
