Are We There Yet?

“Continue in the faith.” Acts 14:22

Are we there yet? Every parent that has taken a road trip has heard these words. Our Christian walk is a pilgrimage as we pass from this world to the next where we will end our journey to the Father’s house.

This world is fraught with pitfalls and to persevere over the influence of the tempter is the goal we have. We are to be conquerors in this life. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the followers of Jesus in Rome said, “…we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Rom 8:37)

The power of the Holy Spirit equips us to be conquerors, not just in this physical realm, but in the spiritual world as well. The Apostle explains it with these words:

 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)

The love that God has for you is demonstrated by the power of the gospel of Jesus. God sent His Son to die for you so that you could be united with God. We find these words spoken by Jesus not only empowering but comforting, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

God, in His love for you, came in the flesh, not to condemn you but to give you life:

 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17)

The condemnation of sin was your wages of sin. We find this truth taught in the word of God, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)

You earned your condemnation by sin. You received forgiveness and life in Jesus as a gift. As you begin your Christian journey you must depend on the Holy Spirit’s power to live a life that is pleasing to God. Many followers of Jesus grow weary of the battles in this world and some even depart the “way” and slip back into the life they lived before the Gospel introduced them to the love of God.

The battle is real and the road to God’s House is littered with wounded souls who have stumbled. We are instructed on how to respond when we are oppressed in our journey:

“let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Heb 12:1)

Do you feel like the child crying “Are we there yet?” Does the road seem long and without end? Have you lost the desire to continue your Christian lifestyle? You are not alone in this journey. We are comforted by both God and fellow believers.