stedfastness

When the Lord calls a man into relationship with Him, He intends for that union to be forever.  A lot of Christians endure for a season but when affliction or persecution arises for the Word’s sake they turn away.  The Christians in our camp are called “charismatics”. Based on their longevity Jerry Savelle calls them “cruiseamatics”.  Why do so many people lose interest in God and what He has done for them?  I believe the reason is that some folks do not take the time needed to really get to know their Savior.
 
Mathew 11:25 Father I thank You because You have hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them unto babes.
 
The wise and the prudent are people who keep God in the mental realm.  They never seem to make spiritual contact.  All the God they know is what they can perceive with their five physical senses.  Their relationship with the Lord is superficial. It never probes the depth of His willing Spirit.  So when adversity or temptation come they have no foundation to rest upon and so they don’t know what God will do.  They don’t bother to contact Him.
 
In the other camp we have the babes.  These are people who don’t demand any physical evidence from God.  They perceive and believe Him based on His Word.  They form a lasting relationship based solely on His Word.  When adversity or affliction comes they use praise to gather themselves into the presence of their Lord.  They know that nothing can separate them from the love of their Lord.  The babies in Christ can scarcely be discouraged because they live in the continual presence of their Lord and Savior.
 
1 Corinthians 15:58 Be stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
 
This is sweet music to a babe in Christ but to the wise and prudent it is a labor intensified.  All things work to the good for those who love the Lord.  Nothing we do in line with obedience is ever a waste of time.  Some folks see no value in worshipping the Lord or giving Him His tithe.  Others live just to please Him, they are stedfast and beam with the joy of living in His presence.  You cannot discourage a stedfast Christian, they intimately know their Lord and what He has promised to do.  The wise and prudent need constant attention, someone has to continually talk them into staying with God. 

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of God rule in your spirit, to which also you are called in one body; and be thankful.
 
What are we to be thankful for?  For Jesus dying on the cross for us and taking our place in hell!  If you lose sight of what He has done you will begin to slip away from Him.  If you remind yourself every day that He has made a place for you in heaven, you will maintain your stedfastness in Him.