After learning of my illness, some friends told me, ‘Your faith is strong. You are ready for this trial.’ I may have had a similar thought at the outset, but in the midst of the storm, I found myself in the same boat as the disciples. Though Jesus is right beside us, we cry, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” And Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?”
God does call us to spiritual preparation. The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 makes it very clear some will be prepared for His return and some will not. But if we think our faith is strong, beware. Paul warns, “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.” At times, we may be tempted to boast as Peter did, “Lord, if all desert you, I never will.” It is true that Peter recognized the Messiah when many didn’t. It is also true that he left everything to follow Him. But Jesus knew Peter’s faith was not as strong as he thought it was. Just a few hours after his proclamation, Peter denied he even knew his Friend. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves.
Spiritual preparation should not lead to boasting about faith. Spiritual preparation leads to humility. If we let Him, God will teach us to put less confidence in ourselves and more in Him. We’ll learn to pray, ‘Lord, if you don’t fill me with Your Spirit, I won’t make it. Lord, if you don’t give me your grace, I will surely fall!’
If anyone is prepared for a trial, it is by God’s grace he is prepared. If anyone endures a hardship, it is by God’s grace he survives. If anyone is “more than a conqueror”, it is by God’s grace he is victorious. All such blessings are found in Christ, God’s magnificent Gift of grace.
Jesus shared with His disciples that things would get so difficult at some point before He returns that “unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved.”(see Matthew 24) In other words, things could get so bad that the person with the stongest faith would not endure. So who wants to boast? Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
Today, there are Christians in many parts of the world enduring hardships I can’t imagine. Many are remaining faithful in the flames of persecution. It is by God’s grace they stand. Today, many have been delivered from sin by an all powerful Savior. Though living in an evil world, they resist the devil and stay unspotted. It is by God’s grace they walk in righteousness. Because of His grace we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear. He will always provide a way of escape. One day, as in the days of Noah, swift destruction will come upon the world. By God’s grace, some will be safe in the ark of Christ Jesus. Believe in Him and possess the oil of the wise virgins. Remain in Him, as the only place of true safety, and remember “it is by grace that you have been saved”. (Ephesians 2:1-10)