FAITH CAPSULE: It is possible to be on the right track and be trapped.
1 John 2
Going to church every Sunday; going from prayer meeting to prayer meeting and going from bible study to bible study is not a ticket to heaven. In living life, how have you been following Him? Think within yourself how you have been following Him. Yes you are on the right track of following Him, but being on the right track is different from following through the rules of running the track. Indeed, it is possible to be on the right track and be trapped.
Life is a journey and living life can be compared to running race on a race track. In running a race on the track of life there are rules that should never be violated. Every acclaimed believer on the race track of life who fails to follow the rules of running race on the track of life is trapped believer. 1 Corinthians 9:24 points out, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” The ones who run to receive prize are the ones who get to the expected end. Running the race of life is about knowing to follow Christ, the author and the finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
What does it take to follow Him? Following Him is in knowing Him. It takes knowing Him and not knowing about Him to follow Him. Knowing the Lord is not in determination or in our strength. Following Him is not in changing or running from one church to another church. Knowing to follow Him is in consistent obedience to His word. The book of 1 John 2:3-4 expressly stated what it means to follow Him, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.’” If you have been keeping His commandments you must be clean from all walks of life which do not represent Him. Ones that engage lying, deception and manipulating others are the ones with the marks of this world. It is important to run the race of life according to the rule of running the race. God is able; He is able to carry you through the race. Do you desire to run through and not miss the mark? Ask Him to make you and He will make you just as the potter makes and remakes his clay.
Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace of redirection so that you may run the race of life and not miss getting to the expected end.