John 6:68-69 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Peter knew whom he believed, (2 Timothy 1:12) and he knew what He alone could give. (John 4:10) That is exactly the position every Christian should be in. However, it’s important to note that it was after this that Peter denied three times that he knew Jesus, from a strictly material impulse to save his own skin. Being in a good place spiritually doesn’t mean we can coast! It is important to be reminded, even to remind ourselves, of the central truths of life in Christ. The list is very long of “theologians” who have completely abandoned saving faith in their pursuit of esoteric knowledge. We have to keep our foundations firm, or whatever superstructure we build will collapse. That is exactly the point of Jesus’ parable of the two men who built their houses, one on rock and the other on sand. (Matthew 7:24-27) In Luke’s record of that parable, he puts it right after Jesus’ rhetorical question, “Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) Failing to exercise the faith we have is a recipe for weakness, just as it is physically. Reciting creeds does no good if we are not living them out in our daily lives.

I can say with assurance that I know whom I have believed, but I can also say with equal assurance that I want to know Him better! I am still far from perfect in my obedience, and not just because I don’t always hear Him clearly. I desire that each member of this church press into God with all they are and have, but I’ve got to lead the way by example, especially in that area. I am not to duck the difficult issues, retreating into my comfort zone. Christ is my comfort zone! That is, He should be, but my flesh sometimes thinks otherwise. I read of those in India, China, Pakistan, and elsewhere who suffer horribly for their faith and yet live in joy and peace, sharing the Gospel in spite of it all, and I am humbled. I have never shed my blood for my faith, (Hebrews 12:4) and I must never walk in conceit.

Father, I am so prone to look at my insignificant problems and think they are huge, instead of looking at Christ and realizing just how insignificant my problems really are. Forgive me. Saturday was a good case in point, with an emotional roller coaster over entirely temporal issues. Help me give you thanks for Your many blessings without crashing down over the bumps in the road! I pray for Brother Piro, who has gone to minister to a friend who has been given just three more weeks to live. There’s a situation worthy of earnest prayer! Help me see all things from Your perspective, trusting You even when I don’t see how things will turn out (which is usually). May I trust and obey You enough to be Your co-laborer indeed, even as You had me say in the message yesterday, so that all of Your plans may be fulfilled, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!