Are You Reaching the Stature That Belongs to Christ? - Conclusion of LOSS OF FOCUS CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF FAITH

"Am I as diligent in God's service as I once was?  The apostle Paul showed that working hard for Jehovah leads to our having "the full assurance of the hope down to the end."  However, what could happen if we began to lose focus our efforts on personal pursuits, such as by taking a job that pays well but that interferes with  our worship?  Our faith could weaken,and we could "become sluggish," doing less for Jehovah than our circumstances allow. -Hebrews 6:10-12. 

Do I struggle to forgive  personal offenses?  When others offend or hurt  us, we could focus on how we feel and then be tempted to tell them off or to cut them off by not speaking to them. On the other hand, if we forgive, we show faith in Jehovah.  How so?  Those who sin against owe us a debt, just as our sins put us in debt to God.  (Luke 11:4)  When we forgive others, we have to trust that gaining God's favor by doing so is worth more than making them pay back their debt. Jesus' disciples recognized that forgiving others requires faith.  When he told them to forgive even those who had sinned against them repeatedly, they  begged:  "Give us more faith." -Luke 17:1-5.

Do I chafe at Scriptural counsel?  Instead of looking for a way to benefit from the counsel, we might focusing on some defect in the counsel or in the counselor.  (Proverbs 19:20)   We might thus miss an opportunity to bring our thinking into line with God's 

Do I  murmur against brothers in the congregation?  When the Israelites focused on the bad report of the ten faithless spies. They began to murmur against Moses and Aaron.  Jehovah then asked Moses:  "How much longer will they  not put faith in me?"  (Numbers 14:2-4, 11)  Yes, the Israelites' murmuring  actually showed a lack of trust in God, who had appointed Moses and Aaron. Likewise, if we constantly grumble about those  whom God is using to lead his people, is this not an indication that our faith in God has weakened?  

Still, do not be disheartened if your self-examination exposes weaknesses in your faith. Even Peter, a apostle gave way to fear and doubt.  In fact, Jesus at time reproved all the apostles for having "little faith."  (Matthew 16:8) Keep in mind that an important lesson we learn from Peter's experience comes from what he did after his faith wavered and he started to sink into the sea. 

Next time: Are You Reaching the Stature That Belongs to Christ? -FOCUS ON JESUS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH

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