10^th February 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: HOLD ON

THEME SCRIPTURE: “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

 PREPARATORY QUESTION:

1. Are we in the last days or it is yet to come?

2. Are you in the faith or you have fallen away from God’s grace?

 One important exercise every Christian must undertake from time to time is to examine one’s self to see if he or she is still in the faith (2 Cor 13:5). Sometimes it is possible to think that you are doing well, only to find out later that your efforts are below acceptable or completely out of order. Now, why must we constantly examine ourselves whether we are still in the faith, and with what must we examine ourselves?

The reason we must constantly examine ourselves is this – Jesus is coming again. The second coming of Christ will see the separation of the wheat from the chaff and the goats from the sheep.

At that time, many will profess that they did this and that in the name of the Lord (Matt 7:22). The Lord’s answer to them will be “I do not know you” (Matt 7:23). It will be sad to think that you are in the faith, only to be told by Christ on the day of His appearing that He doesn’t know you at all.

The Spirit, through Paul, expressly indicates to Timothy but also to you and me that ‘in later times some will depart from the faith…’ (1 Tim 4:1). Some will depart from the faith? Could it be you? Many of our brethren have departed from the faith, and before the coming of our Lord, there must first be a falling away of many (2 Thes 2:3). What does it mean to fall or depart from the faith? To clearly understand what it means to fall off the faith, we must understand the foundation of the Christian faith.

The true foundation of the faith we have received is Christ and His finished works on the cross. Anything else, contrary to Christ's finished works, is a deviation from the faith. Remember, on the cross, Jesus declared,  ‘It is finished’(John 19:30), and a new day of God's grace dawned.

Thus, any attempt to want to secure righteousness, spiritual endowments, or God’s graces through other means such as abstinence from certain foods, or depending on certain concoctions is a departure from the faith.

Precious One, look up to Jesus alone, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2). Do not take your eyes off Him. Peter took his eyes off Jesus and immediately he began to sink (Matt 14:30-31). Hold on to your faith with all diligence, and also your salvation with fear and trembling. Let no man deceive you, to think that there is salvation in worshipping on certain particular days or observing certain festivals. Let no man deceive you that what you eat and don’t eat, or what you drink affects your salvation. (Col 2:16-17). These are all teachings of seducing spirits.

Nothing else can disqualify you, as long as Christ is in you, and you live for Him. For Christ in you is your hope of glory (Col 1:27).

Precious One, let Jesus and his finished works for you be enough. Don’t add on or subtract from it. This is the faith we have received from the beginning and it is this faith that can take you to the end. We became new creations by placing our faith in the Lordship of Christ, confessing with our mouths that God has raised Him from the dead (Rom 10:9). That was all we did and God’s life was imparted into our spirits. What more can you get outside the Son of God? In these last days, hold on to your faith because the days are evil.

God bless you more.

FURTHER READING – Matt 24:5-12

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Would you evaluate your faith today to see if you are still in the faith?

2. Is the ‘finished works of Christ' the centre and foundation of your spiritual life and endeavours?

CONFESSION

Thank you Father, for the sacrifice on the cross by my Lord Jesus. I affirm that Christ is in me; I am a new creation. And because Jesus has declared that it is finished, I have the dominion. I choose this day going forward, to accept no doctrine that is not founded on Christ Jesus and His finished works. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Mark 13; Exodus 26-27; Psalm 41