Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Season 2, Episode 28
For Wednesday, September 9, 2015
“Why Christians Fall, Part 2”
Previous Episodes
Subscription Links
Episode Transcript:
Welcome to The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ has created in you. I’m Robert Hatfield, and here is today’s scripture:
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish (Gal. 5:16-17).
What causes Christians to fall away? The general answer, of course, is temptation, which leads to sin. The Book of Galatians gets a little more specific by identifying at least six causes of a Christian’s departure from the faith. Yesterday, we noted the first three: false teachers, abuses of freedom, and misunderstandings with fellow Christians. Today, let’s continue looking at Galatians for three more causes of Christian unfaithfulness.
1. The ceaseless warfare
Let’s face it: Christians can grow weary of constantly fighting against sin. It is an ongoing and never-ending (at least, not until we leave this life) struggle to keep ourselves spiritually pure. Christianity is a warfare; we are at war with Satan. Paul says that the flesh and the Spirit are against each other (Gal. 5:16-17). However, Paul himself provides a great example of faithfulness (not perfection, but faithfulness) for us to follow. In 2 Timothy 4:7-8, he reflects on his life in Christ and says that he “fought the good fight.” God’s people will know the victory! Don’t give up!
2. Burdens
Galatians 6:2 says that we are to “bear one another’s burdens.” We all have struggles. Job observed:
Man who is born of woman
Is of few days and full of trouble (Job 14:1).
We know this to be true, don’t we? You don’t have to go looking for trouble because trouble will find you!
The truth is, we can’t face those burdens alone. The more optimistic truth is that we don’t have to. Jesus says, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Mat. 11:29-30). Further, Jesus’ disciples can help us bear our burdens, bringing them all to the Master who can lighten our load.
Don’t be discouraged by life’s burdens. Take them to Jesus. Trust in Him.
3. Weariness
This one sort of builds upon the other two that we have mentioned, doesn’t it? Paul mentions weariness in Galatians 6:9:
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
It is hard to stay alert. We can easily grow weary. However, the Bible gives us repeated instructions and encouragement to stay the course. Paul wrote, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13). He says that after 1 Corinthians 15, in which we identifies the source of our strength and victory: Jesus Christ.
Let’s wrap it up: It could happen to you. You could give in to the temptations of the ceaseless warfare, the burdens, and the weariness. Paul doesn’t identify these in the book of Galatians to give us excuses. No, just the opposite! Paul wants us to be informed so that we can be on the alert to guard our souls. May we always be faithful to the Lord.
Memory Verse: Galatians 6:2 is this week’s memory verse. We can help each other to remain faithful to the Lord.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).
Thanks for listening to The New You. This podcast is brought to you by The Light Network. Visit us online at thelightnetwork.tv. Please subscribe to The New You in iTunes or in your favorite podcast app to automatically receive each new episode.
The gospel is the power to restore erring Christians and to foster renewed dedication in a Christians’ heart. We’ll discuss that together tomorrow on The New You.
