A persons faith is much like a "rope". Many of us have had a rope or two around the house, maybe in the trunk of the family car as a possible tool to be use in an emergency.
With absolute confidence we can depend on the strength of most of our ropes we have to be sufficient to wrap packages, boxes, or crates (temporal things in life). In fact, we may have used our rope to tie Aunt Lucys pet dog to a tree when she comes to visit. Just a few months ago, we may have used our rope to pull a neighbors disabled car to a service station only a short distance away.
In fact, the day we used our small rope to pull Eds car two blocks to a service garage, many remarked concerning the sturdiness of our rope. It may be silly, but to some extent their compliments made us feel good about ourselves. I wonder why such compliments effect us, when the compliment itself was about our rope? Regardless, we became more confident then than ever before that we had a rope of sufficient strength to met our needs.
Let your imagination be the provider of the circumstance. Suppose you needed that rope to provide strength and support to carry your weight several feet to safety from over the depths of a deep deadly gorge, that result in sure death if the rope broke.
At that moment would you not regret not having recently tested the condition of your rope? Without warning, with suddenness, you find yourself having to depend solely on the strength of your rope to support your weight to a place of safety. If it fails, death!
You must admit, such a circumstance would be scary and would merit your undivided attention. Then, does it not seem appropriate that we should prepare for such circumstances now, while there is sufficient time for preparation?
Our "faith" is much like a "rope". As a rope remains in the trunk of a car without being regularly tested from time to time, all we have as evidence of its one time strength is that it pulled a car a couple of blocks and people were really impressed with its strength. Thus, we have taken a false sense of security based on what "others" have said about our rope (faith).
How much is our faith like that? We hear comments every once in a while from someone saying something like: "Brother, I wish that I had the faith in God that you do." And what have we been guilty of doing? Yes, that is right, all too often we put on our suit of pride and just about bust our buttons, elated that someone should think we are so spiritual.
Aw, come on. Dont deny it, you have been there. Some of you are holding down a position in church today, simply because some others have examined your "rope" and have told you inflated words about its strength. You liked hearing it, you even start to believe it. In order to support their claims, and to encourage them to continue them to think highly of you, you accepted whatever position in church which you now hold.
On October 12, 1996, a Fordham University football player named Bill Tierney was suddenly placed at the end of his "rope" (the faith he had in God). Was it sufficient to hold his weight spiritually speaking that he might be carried into the very presence of Christ, or when the time came to test his rope was it found to be insufficient? Not knowing Bill Tierney, I do not know. All I know is that he needed the rope of saving faith, suddenly, without warning, with no second chance, as he collapsed and died during warmups on the football field minutes before the school's homecoming game was to start.
You do not know when suddenly you will need your rope of faith. What condition is it end? Have you talked to the Lord recently about your faith or lack thereof? Have you asked Him to test your rope, and if found insufficient, have you asked "Him to provide" you with the rope of faith that insures eternal life under all circumstances.
If you knew you were going to require a rope to haul your body to safety later today, wouldnt you want to test the strength of the rope prior to that event? Then doesnt it stand to reason that it is time for you and the Lord to get alone and test your faith of salvation right now, for you know not at what hour in which your safety will depend on the condition of your faith. Is it truly "saving faith," or is it just "acceptable faith" for the local church or circle of friends that you have?
Instead of having your rope approved by your pastor, friend, or brother; seek today to have the approval of your rope certified by the Son of God.
Examine your rope! Is it made up of things that fail, such as: works, attendance, good deeds, etc.; or is your rope entirely constructed by the unmerited love and favor of Almighty God (GRACE). If upon inspecting your rope you see even one good deed, even if it was the "best" good deed you ever did in your life.ask God to give you a new ropea rope based entirely on Gods GRACE. All other ropes are not sufficient for eternal life.
"Lord grant to those that read this a desire to meet with you privately to discuss the condition of their rope. In Jesus Name, Amen.