Christian Foundations

DEVOTIONAL ARCHIVE

• Moments Together for Couples 11/23
• Moments Together for Couples 11/22
• Moments Together for Couples 11/21
• Moments Together for Couples 11/20
• Moments Together for Couples 11/19
• View archives

Want this devotional
delivered right to your
your inbox?

by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Luke 8:15
And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

Many new Christians begin their new lives at an emotional high. They are overwhelmed by God's grace, by the excitement of seeing Him move in their lives, and by the love they feel from their new brothers and sisters in Christ. They involve themselves in their churches' ministries and feel the power of God working through them to minister to others.

Then, inevitably, they begin to come to grips with massive doses of reality, by making too many glossy-eyed, rose-tinted assumptions about people and life. A trusted Christian friend betrays a brother; a respected church leader commits adultery; people bicker about decisions made by the new pastor. Yes, Christians are full of faults, just like anyone else.

I will never forget Dr. Howard Hendricks's statement one day when I was attending Dallas Theological Seminary. He said, "Gentlemen, if you do not like the smell of sheep, then you'd better get out of the pasture." That statement illustrates the choice you face when reality hits and you realize just how difficult it is to work with people. You can protect yourself by withdrawing from the life of the church, or you can persevere and keep pursuing relationships.

Many Christians today choose the path of self-protection. They move from church to church, never settling down because that would require too much commitment. When you follow this path, however, it's easy to end up cynical and isolated. You miss the joy that comes when you determine not to quit and allow God to work through you, and finally, after years of struggling through relationships, see the fruit that, as Christ says, only comes through perseverance (see Luke 8:15, above).

Prayer:

That you would be able to sink roots into a church where you have years of fruitful ministry.

Discuss: When have you been faced with the choice of self-preservation or perseverance? What did you choose?

Would you like your own copy of this devotional?