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Collapse Avoidance[/SIZE]
“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.”
I John 5:16.
In Concord, North Carolina a concrete pedestrian walkway which spanned a highway collapsed onto the road. People were hurled on top of each other as they fell toward the ground. 107 people were injured with three of them critically. They were leaving a NASCAR race. Track president Humpy Wheeler said, “All we can do right now is pray for the people who were injured seriously.” According to witnesses there was no warning of an impending collapse. The bridge appeared to be normal with no structural problems but suddenly it just caved in.
Many Christians have much in common with this pedestrian walkway which collapsed. They look okay on the outside but the years and the stress of the storms of life weaken them until they suddenly collapse. An addiction destroys another life. A long marriage falls apart. Moral failures bring about public disgrace. How sad to see a Christian fall but we know it happens all the time. How can we keep it from happening to us? There are some things we should be aware of: First, we should be aware of the destructiveness of sin. Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death.” Sin always leads to death. Some deaths are more immediate than others as the apostle John points out in I John 5:16.
Second, we should avoid the grasp of the enemy. John says in I John 5:18b “but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” To keep ourselves has the meaning of holding fast, to keep your guard up.
Third, we need to grow in our understanding of Christ (I John 5:20). When we are faithful in maintaining our fellowship with God our understanding of Him grows. As we walk in obedience, that which is true, our fellowship with God increases.
Fourth, we must decide to worship only God. John tells us in I John 5:21 that we should “keep (our) yourselves from idols.” An idol is anything you put first before God. John is saying you cannot be neutral you must decide to worship God or you are worshipping the world.
By Ed Wrather
Submitted by Richard
“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.”
I John 5:16.
In Concord, North Carolina a concrete pedestrian walkway which spanned a highway collapsed onto the road. People were hurled on top of each other as they fell toward the ground. 107 people were injured with three of them critically. They were leaving a NASCAR race. Track president Humpy Wheeler said, “All we can do right now is pray for the people who were injured seriously.” According to witnesses there was no warning of an impending collapse. The bridge appeared to be normal with no structural problems but suddenly it just caved in.
Many Christians have much in common with this pedestrian walkway which collapsed. They look okay on the outside but the years and the stress of the storms of life weaken them until they suddenly collapse. An addiction destroys another life. A long marriage falls apart. Moral failures bring about public disgrace. How sad to see a Christian fall but we know it happens all the time. How can we keep it from happening to us? There are some things we should be aware of: First, we should be aware of the destructiveness of sin. Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death.” Sin always leads to death. Some deaths are more immediate than others as the apostle John points out in I John 5:16.
Second, we should avoid the grasp of the enemy. John says in I John 5:18b “but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” To keep ourselves has the meaning of holding fast, to keep your guard up.
Third, we need to grow in our understanding of Christ (I John 5:20). When we are faithful in maintaining our fellowship with God our understanding of Him grows. As we walk in obedience, that which is true, our fellowship with God increases.
Fourth, we must decide to worship only God. John tells us in I John 5:21 that we should “keep (our) yourselves from idols.” An idol is anything you put first before God. John is saying you cannot be neutral you must decide to worship God or you are worshipping the world.
By Ed Wrather
Submitted by Richard
