Such is Common to Man

Challenges Faced

The past few weeks have been a challenge for Christians. Those who are trying to embrace the faith and those who are actively spreading the Gospel. Through the years the church has endured countless ministry scandals. There has been news coverage that exposes the faults of popular faces in the Christian Community. All of this presents more of a test for those who are called to serve Christ. Have we been carried away by a wind of doctrine that has us reeling every time some major figure falls or is found to be less than honorable? I don’t think so. I believe our faith is tested every time we encounter pressure from the exposure of the faults of man. We are charged even more to trust in Christ and Him only. We have to labor for our faith and by that I mean practice the things we know to keep our relationship with Jesus strong so that if one falls away we may pray that he is restored.

Questions Answered

Is this the culmination of our expectations? Can a person who seems to be anointed fall from grace? How can these things be? Many questions have been presented to both the Christian Community and the Secular Community alike. The answers lie in the Word from which we gather our faith and trust. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1Cor. 10:13) Fundamentally, every believer has the responsibility to first love God and keep His commandments. We often see superstar athletes get to a point that the fundamentals seem to become a hindrance and they abandon them altogether. One superstar is quoted as making the statement, “I’m supposed to be a franchise player and we are talking about practice.” Yes, it sounds silly to make the statement but that’s how some feel. To put forth the effort to perform the fundamental tasks and to maintain discipline in the areas that keep us strong can become a daunting task for those who feel they are of the utmost importance. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God. (2Cor. 3:5) How soon we forget.

Faith Maintained

Trust in the Lord with all thy heart. Lean not to thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths. (Prov. 3:5-6) When faced with a sudden attack it may take a while to get your bearings. Although trials come they are not intended to destroy everything. Some are simply to test the durability of your faith. After we have suffered a while the God of all grace will step in to assist us to bring us back to a place of stability that will afford us the opportunity to learn more and have a stronger faith.(1Pet. 5:10) I am persuaded that we are in a time when our faith is tested with respect to some specific trials that will shed light on the fallacies of man and the awesomeness of God. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:6) Keep trusting, keep seeking and God will reward you openly.