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"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."
(1 Corinthians 10:12)
I was talking to a friend recently who is heartbroken for his son. He once walked with God and served faithfully, but now he no longer attends church and lives with his girlfriend. I told my friend this probably started when his son stopped spending time with God in prayer and Bible study. This is yet another example (and there are so many) of a person sidelined, no longer serving the Lord or even walking with Him. I told my friend that this will not turn out well for his son because Proverbs 1 and Hebrews 12 teach us that God will chastise. If the discipline of God never comes, it only proves that he was never a child of God in the first place. Where in the world did I get such a notion? Hebrews 12:5-6 says, "And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."
So, how do you stay close with the Lord so that you do not forsake the faith and destroy your witness for Christ? Let me begin by saying, but for the grace of God, there go I. I am just one second, one decision away from stupid, and so are you. If you think, "Well, I'm so close to God, that could never happen to me." Please do not think that. Remember the Apostle Paul's command in 1 Corinthians 10:12: "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."
It is dangerous to knowingly take a step away from God and His will for your life. People ask, "What is God's will for my life?" The Bible gives an answer, but it is one that many do not wish to hear. God's will for you and me as followers of Jesus is to be holy, and more specifically, to be sexually pure. Where in the Bible does it say that? It says so in 1 Thessalonians 4:3: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality." How can you as a single adult move in with your boyfriend or girlfriend and obey this verse? "Oh, aren't you being a bit judgmental; after all, even Christian singles today are cohabitating?" No; I am simply trying to help you from making a big mistake.
Ravi Zacharias wisely said, "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay."
Child of God, turn back to Jesus; repent. Get back in the Word of God, pray daily, and meet regularly with a small group that can encourage you and hold you accountable. I am pulling for you and praying for you, even now.
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