To avoid backsliding, we must diligently apply ourselves to maturity as His children (cf. 2 Peter 1:5-10; 2:2; Hebrew 5:12-6:6). The soul of every child of God is too precious to risk a misstep. May we all be diligent to make our “call and election sure” (cf. 2 Pet. 1:10).
It is the responsibility of the preacher to continually warn about sin, and expose error. Rather than react with exasperation that he is preaching yet another sermon on “the issues”, or is warning for “the hundredth” time about some temptation of the flesh, why not recognize the responsibility given to him by God to “stir you up by reminding you”, and give heed to his words?
for the edification of the brethren, the preaching of the gospel is needed in our worship assemblies. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). May we all be blessed by the faithful proclamation of truth.
The apostle Paul apparently felt that sexual sin was a constant threat to the welfare of Christians in the first century. He continually warned about it, writing such things as, “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18); and “Nor let us commit sexual immorality…” (1 Corinthians 10:8).
Prayer, offered confidently by a saint, can accomplish wonders. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). As we engage in worship to the Almighty God in heaven, may we all “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16), petitioning God in faith.
Great work can be done for the cause of Christ by the local church. But, such work of benevolence, evangelism and edification takes money. God has supplied the method by which this money is to be collected - the free-will offering of His saints. A refusal to fulfill our duty not only indicts us before God, it hampers the work of our Lord.
Because God is omnipotent, and has pledged His protection of us, we can rest safely within His embrace. Paul wrote, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
As we seek to worship God “in spirit and truth” (cf. John 4:24), we must heed His will with regard to musical worship offered to Him. We are privileged by God to “speak [-ing] to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” As we conform to His will in this, may we have the proper spirit as we praise Him in song.
