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How to Stay in the Faith

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How to Stay in the Faith

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Many of the people there, friends and ministers alike, are no longer in the faith. They have chosen to give up on God's way and rejoin the world. Some of you have also stayed the course as long or even longer. What can we pass along to those who have come into the faith later and who are wondering, "What has kept you faithful?" I was asked this very question and three points came to mind: 1. Keep your eyes on the Kingdom. Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:31-34). Early on, I heard a sermon about how we can block out the sun with a dime if we hold it close to our eye. Likewise, we can allow problems, which compared to the Kingdom of God are miniscule, to block out the vision of God's Kingdom. The gospel is of the Kingdom. The Sabbath and Holy Days point to—and our hope and the hope of the whole world is—the Kingdom. Nothing, no offense, no problem, no trial, no doubt can be allowed to block that vision. 2. Keep your hand on the plow. Jesus said that no one who puts his hand to the plow and turns back is fit for the Kingdom (Luke 9:57-62). We must be doing the work, having our hearts, our prayers, our tithes and offerings in the work of the Church, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world and serving in the local congregation. If we are an active part of the local church, we build that sense of belonging, community and family that binds us together. Like a threefold cord, we are not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). 3. Keep your feet planted firmly on the Rock. Never forget, Christ is the Head of the Church. People have problems—always have, always will. Christ will always work it out. The work will succeed. As He took care of things in the past, so He does today. Those who rely on Him, trust in Him and stand on Him will not be moved. We must build our house on that Rock (Matthew 7:24-27). Jesus told us in Revelation 3, "I know your works…you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name… Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial… Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more" (Revelation 3:8-12, emphasis added). We must keep our eyes on the Kingdom, our hands on the plow and our feet planted firmly on that Rock.