The prophecies, warnings and commandments of the Scriptures must be taken as direct orders from the throne of God, who created us to fulfill His plan. Nothing is more decorous and productive than doing the will of the One who is pure and true, for there will be a reward for those who do so (Psalm 1:1-3). However, anyone who forgets the Lord in any situation will shipwreck in their faith!

           Paul showed love to the young man who was placed by his side, so that he would learn to practice the Word and, at the end of his career, he would say that he had also fulfilled his mission, so the crown of righteousness would be given to him (2 Timothy 4:7,8). Like the apostle, we have to go all the way to be considered righteous. Furthermore, we must recognize the benefit of the Most High in keeping us and repay Him by helping others in the faith.

           We must never find ourselves tired, upset or defeated, because there will always be a new convert in need of our admonition, so that the work can continue to be done with love and purity. Before we condemn someone, who has acted wrongly, we should consider whether we are to blame for that action. The man who hints to a woman, or vice versa, that they could have an affair could be to blame for that person's sin!

           Bad examples are sometimes passed on with an “innocent smile”, with a word spoken in circumstances used by the devil to lead someone to sink in their faith. Condemning those who have transgressed is a common attitude when there are sins hidden in our hearts: So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them: “He who is without sin among you, let throw a stone at her first (John 8.7). The Lord is a great teacher!

             We have to keep a good conscience so that we don't neglect Christ's faith, because He gave us an example (John 13:15). If we don't learn from Him, regardless of where we've studied or who our teacher was, we're learning in the wrong way. Only Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one goes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Everything that comes from Christ is pure and has the power to free us from any influence of the kingdom of darkness. Flee from the liar and the evil one (John 8.44).

          Rejecting the Lord's rebuke and denying that you have understood His message are extremely dangerous sins, because whoever does this closes themselves into the devil's hands. Once you are under the direction of the evil one, you will never get it right in life. A judge who becomes corrupted will never get his sentences right again, because the Spirit of God who protected him in his role will no longer be able to act on his behalf (1 Timothy 5:22). Walking uprightly is always the best choice!

         Faith has been given to us to walk through turbulent waters. If we let fear and the devil's hand trap us, even once, and don't repent, we will fail in every area of life and risk falling into the lake of brimstone and fire. Be wise and you will be saved!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares