You see, this is what faith is about – it’s not an easy road being a Christian sojourner – it’s a long road, a hard road, a slippery road and sometimes I stumble and fall.
However, the one constant in my life since that day has been my belief that no matter what happens in this life Here on this planet, God is with me – He has been with me in the past, even when I was unaware, He is with me in the present, even when I feel He is distant, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that He will walk beside me into the future, wherever that may lead.
I preached the Gospel of Christ, the good news of salvation, freely and willingly offered and made available to all who will call on him, for 25 years from the day I started training as a Methodist Local Preacher. It was a lay position, not ordained, and I spent most of my Sundays either in the pulpit delivering the Word, or in the congregation being fed by the Word. In all of my 40 years under the banner of his love, I can say that “gently He has led me, but mightily He has fed me”.
As I draw closer to God on this journey called life, I feel that my faith has grown, I have become more mature in my outlook, and my roots have gone deeper into the wellspring of the Master’s teaching. It has not been, is not and never will be an easy, smooth path that I tread along life’s highway and I continually find myself praying, going back to scripture to test the next step, before hesitantly edging forward. I don’t always get it right, I know, and I am oftentimes in danger of ‘falling through the ice’, but I have the promised gift of God’s Holy Spirit to be my counsellor, advocate and guide, sometimes prodding me forward, sometimes holding me back, always and ever present.
As I endeavour to walk the way my Master would lead me, I am aware that my speech, my attitudes, and my opinions are at times very forceful. I have been challenged and condemned by Christians and non-Christians alike for my views and for statements I make about my beliefs, and in the past I have compromised my own stand to fit in with the crowd and to pander to popular views, however misconceived I believed them to be. Some have accused me of being offensive and less than Christian in my manner and some have confronted me quite vehemently.
This may come as a shock to some, but I am not prepared to apologise for any view I have offered in the past, any view I may offer in the here and now, and certainly not for any view I may offer in the future. My beliefs are my beliefs and can always be tested by the Spirit and tested against Scripture. I know I do not always get it right, and for the times I am wrong, I bow humbly before my creator and ask his forgiveness, for He is the only one to whom I must atone at the last.
This is me!
I care not for the ‘popular, easy, comfortable gospel’ that is being bandied around.
I care not for the ‘wishy washy gospel’ diluted to not offend one of another faith.
I care not for the gospel of prosperity and wealth that has drawn many away from Christ and nearer to abject poverty in both material and spiritual terms.
I care not for worldly acclaim and fame riding on the back of God’s word.
I preach the Gospel of Christ, and nothing besides that, and that to His glory only. My sermons may be long, my words harsh, my demeanour may appear confrontational, but by the same token they may also be full of the love of Christ, should the occasion arise.
I will not compromise on my faith.
I will not walk to the left nor the right.
I will not draw back from the enemy.
I will not put down my sword.
I will not turn my back.
I am HIS and HE is mine.
I am a Warrior For Christ.
I will stand my ground, even should I be the last one standing.
I will proclaim until the last breath leaves my body, or until my Master calls me home, and His will be the choice.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen
God bless you all 🙏🏼
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