The Possibility of Failure (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “The Possibility of Failure” - in Paul’s testimony of his former conduct toward the saints, he states, “beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it” (Galatians 1:13). Beloved, this intense pressure on the saints had a disastrous consequence. As Paul states, “I punished them often in the synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme” (Acts 26:11). Remember, Paul believed that he was righteous in persecuting the saints, because he felt that those who opposed Judaism were “blasphemers”, and irreverent to His God. Although Paul’s ignorance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ may have justified his “failure”, the extreme pressure on the saints nevertheless caused many to be overthrown. I’m delighted to inform you, Beloved, that the martyrdom of some sixty million believers through the ages has testified that not even death by the most horrible means devised by demon-possessed minds can thwart the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We learn from this that there may be some who mis-represent God in their methods, but God will not cause His mission to “fail”.

Chosen Ones, James introduced another important point for our consideration. When we “fail”, the problem lies within our desires, or, as James puts it, our “lust”. “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed (attracted). Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15). Beloved, in these two verses, let us observe that we can stifle “the possibility of failure”. First, observe that lust for unrighteous things still dwells within us, but must be restrained, otherwise we will commit sin. Secondly, if we allow any attraction to draw us away from the holy status engendered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God, that desire will inevitably bring forth sin. Thirdly, remember that “every man is tempted”, but in order to avoid “the possibility of failure”, we must not allow ourselves to be impregnated (“conceived”) with our temptation. Finally, we must give constant thought to the fact that unless there is restoration, “death” is the eventual consequence of allowing lust to lead us into sin.

Precious Ones, to say that in Christ Jesus “failure” is still unavoidable, is to render the act of Calvary powerless. Paul teaches us that regardless of how weak we feel at times, “when we were yet without strength, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). Thus, the conclusion of the “failure” matter is this - “reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof” (Romans 6:11-12).

I love you all SO very much!
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy