BY JACK WARD
Many people have told me over the years that they would become a Christian if they could live it. I understand that people don’t want to start something they know they cannot finish. And I understand that everyone knows that we cannot be perfect. But I ask: Who is able to live the Christian life? Who can please God perfectly? How can we live the way the Lord wants us to and do the things He wants us to do?
Ludwig Nommensen traveled to begin mission work with a tribe in Southeast Asia. The village chief welcomed Ludwig and said, “You have two years to learn our customs and convince us you have a message worth hearing.”
After two years, the tribal leader asked the missionary how Christianity differed from the tribe’s moral rules and traditions.
“We already know what is right,” the chief explained. “We too have laws that say we must not steal or take our neighbor’s wives or tell lies.”
The missionary replied, “That’s true. But my God supplies the power needed to keep those laws.”
This startled the chief.
“Can you really teach my people to live better?”
“No, I can’t,” responded Ludwig. “But if they receive Jesus Christ, God will give them the strength to do what is right.”
The chief invited him to stay another six months, during which Ludwig preached the gospel and taught villagers how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of Christians.
“You can stay as long as you want,” the chief finally announced. “Your religion is better than ours, for your God walks with men and gives them strength to do the things He requires.”
John 14:26: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
You see, we are not expected to know everything about God and do everything perfectly. The Holy Spirit is given to us to teach, remind and guide us. Believe me, you will know it if you are not pleasing God. You will feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit in your heart. Something will tell you in your heart that this just does not feel right. Or if you are on the right path, God will give you peace by His Spirit.
1 Peter 5:10: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” You see, it is God who will strengthen us, perfect us and establish us in our faith.
That should cause us all to rejoice. We do not have to figure out everything. God’s Spirit is given to us to strengthen us, guide us and make us strong in our faith. This is God’s will for every believer: that we should be a solid rock of strength in the Lord.
Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons every Sunday morning at 10:30 on 98.9 WSIP FM. Check out the Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church Facebook page and our website at tomahawkmbc.com.