Pray That Their Faith Shall Not Fail

Luke 22:31,32


"Simon!!!!!! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."


What faith was Jesus talking about? We know that Peter had left his trade as a fisherman and followed Jesus. We know that Peter had received the revelation from the Father that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the Living God". Peter had seen and heard enough of Jesus to be willing to follow Him. What Peter did not yet understand was that Jesus had come to make a way for man to become the righteousness of God, in Him, through His death. There was a gap between what Peter understood and what would happen next.


We know that Jesus, on occasion, corrected Peter for his faulty assumptions regarding the life that Jesus lived in the flesh, and how it would end. We saw how Peter denied that he even knew Jesus or walked with Him. God, Who knows the end from the beginning; and Jesus Who is one with Him, warned Peter. Although surely falling into despair regarding his actions, Peter returned to Jesus and strengthened the brethren! What was revealed to Peter stood through the fiery trial. What Peter had formulated about the Jesus was burned up by the trial. He was now in a position for Jesus to continue to build a place to dwell in His fullness.


"God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3). Who is each one? Every human or just those who have entered into the Lord's salvation. I am impressed that this "measure" precedes the new birth as the scripture reports that we "are saved by grace through faith". This measure is the template by which God predestines, calls, justifies and glorifies.


We know that there are people who have not responded to this measure of faith. We see people who have responded falling short of the glory of God. Just as the educational process begins in pre-school and finishes when you have satisfied what is required to meet the standard, so is it in God's Kingdom. What about praying for all men, outside and in the church, that the faith that God has given them would not fail? When faith fails not, more will be given, and ultimately they could have in abundance, just like Peter did in the end.

Competing According to The Rules

2 Timothy 2:1-10


"You therefore, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone COMPETES IN ATHLETICS, HE IS NOT CROWNED UNLESS HE COMPETES ACCORDING TO THE RULES. The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say and the Lord will give you understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

Compete according to the rules; hard-working farmers partaking of crops(as His revelation comes, they must be the first to receive and do so others may do likewise); soldiers entangling not themselves in affairs other than that which is for good for battle. Paul is comforting Timothy with the truth which serves to strengthen and rooting out that which serves to weaken. 

Who knows what the rules are? Clearly Paul has good command of them as he was charged with writing so much of the New Testament. But, he knows from Whom he received them, as he gives glory to God in Christ Jesus. "The life that I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God". Timothy "must share in hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ". If he does so he, like Paul, he will behelping those who are willing to obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory- he will be partaking of the crops so those he oversees may do likewise. 

I've not been a soldier, but I doubt they walk among the enemy as if walking a dog in a park. They are focused and ready to fight. Their life, other's lives and the cause depends upon it! Consider His word and He will give you understanding in all things. Understand the cost His kingdom requires and be willing to pay it! On your next trip to a merchant, offer to pay substantially less than the cost. See if what you receive exceeds abundantly what you are asking for. Yet in His kingdom we are promised just that, in Him.