Stand Firm and Do Not Fall Away

In most cases when things are tough or when some get lost, they do not want to blame themselves. They try by all means to blame either someone or something. They want to leave themselves clean and blameless. I think it is very good for everyone to look first to themselves, comparing their living, their daily deeds etc with those of the Bible.

Let us have a look at when the first sin was committed. Adam was given the commandment. Eve was created and was under the authority of Adam, but it was Eve who was deceived and Adam failed to use his authority (Genesis 3:2-6; 1 Timothy 2:13, 14). God did not spare either of them. Both were found guilty. Neither of them was innocent because of being deceived by the other.

So when one falls, he/she should not blame others for his/her fall. We will stand for ourselves. So we should stand firm, not shaken by anything internal or external. In most cases, both strong and weak in faith blame each other. This happens when the weak fall away; those who are said to be strong, blame others of having weak faith and unstable belief. But the Bible says we must help the weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Be careful that your strength does not become a stumbling block to the weak (1 Corinthians 8:9). It is said, “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters” (Romans 14:1).

So we should examine ourselves in whatever we do. This will help us not to fall away or to cause others to fall away. At Memorial services we quote 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. But if we read further, verses 27-29, we are told that we are guilty of sinning against our Lord if we do it in an unworthy manner. Verses 28 and 29 says a man should examine himself, but verse 29 says that anyone who does not recognise the body of the Lord, eats and drinks judgement on himself.

So, whatever we do, let us do it to please our Lord Jesus Christ, not to please man (2 Timothy 2:3-7). Our commanding officer is Christ Jesus.

Bro. Benny Shava (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe)