Though I Stumble, I Will Not Fall From Grace

I am reminded today that the strength of my convictions is only as solid as my connection to Jesus, the true vine. I am but a branch. I will do my best not to judge others harshly, because I know I am only a few shades away from falling myself. 

On the way home from the middle school this morning, I passed a small church with the words "We teach the Bible" on the changeable sign out front. Reminded me of the fact that my success as a fruitful Christian who pleases God is intimately tied into my knowledge of the Bible, and the constant reinforcement of its truths in my mind and heart through repeated, PRAYERFUL study. I stress the word prayerful because I cannot grasp the truth of scripture without the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Left to my own understanding, I would twist its meaning to fit my own pleasure and very limited understanding. I was also reminded, as I sailed past the little red brick church, that there is a movement afoot to modernize the church and leave the parts of scripture that do not fit what people want to do and hear out of all teaching. A book I am studying underscored for me yesterday that the Bible is still the primary way the Lord speaks to us personally. I am thankful for it! It is my true road map for living.

Because we are frail human beings, we will sin. However, we do not have to walk in gross, habitual sin that weighs us down with chains of filth and terrible consequences. We CAN grow in Christ! That excites me! Then, when we stumble, we can get back up with confidence, because a stumble is far different from a life lived in a horrible pit. I am so excited about my journey with Jesus. I am thrilled that I can leave behind so many things that have held me back for so long. I realize that the most important thing is my walk with God through Jesus Christ, and there is no circumstance, person or force on this earth or in hell beneath that can take that away from me. My relationship with Him is secure. I can abandon myself to it utterly, with the full assurance that the payoff will be immeasurable as God fills me with his love, peace and joy for all of eternity.