Enough!

This is the first in a series of posts planned on the theme "Enough!"

Throughout my five arduous decades, I've consistently been more of a fighter than a quitter. But sometimes a situation just wears a person out, provoking a declaration of "Enough!"

There's no doubt that the Lord can sustain a person through the most discouraging or exasperating situation. But of course, one must actually go to the Lord to obtain that sustenance.

"And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' "
~ Jesus, from the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1-13

Many heroes and heroines of the faith before us have reached the place of feeling they've run out of light. Their examples teach us not only that there is only one place to obtain spiritual oil (John 6:68), but also that our anointing has a supply of sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The Lord said we would be tested. Trials make known those who are truly His, and those who only appropriate His name and His gifts. The Bible warns of the peril for those who merely "taste" of God's spiritual gifts—those content to partake in the Holy Spirit and Word of God to the extent that pleases themselves—whose "end is to be burned" (Hebrews 6:4-8).

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
~ Jesus, from the Parable of Two Builders, Matthew 7:21-27

Some churches preach that a person needs only speak a sinner's prayer to obtain eternal salvation, and then "once saved, always saved."

Some churches preach a person can sin and lose one's salvation, but can always repent to regain it—"revolving door salvation."

Jesus assures that no one snatches His sheep out of His hand. He also identifies His sheep as those who know His voice and follow Him. (John 10:1-15)

To know Jesus is to identify with not only His name but His entire character. To declare Jesus "Lord" is to accept His spiritual life in displacement of a life lived for Self.

If I accept Jesus, I refuse to deny Jesus when He allows suffering to show up at my door and prove whether or not I'm really His.

"Blessed is any weight, however overwhelming,
that God has been so good as to fasten
with His own hand upon our shoulders."
~ Frederick W. Faber

Good and loving Shepherd, we are but weak sheep. For Your name's sake, help us not grow weary in doing good.

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Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.