fallen away
"Take care, my brothers, lest any of you have an evil and unfaithful spirit and fall away from the living God." —Hebrews 3:12
It's possible to know the Lord and then fall away from that relationship. It's possible to be delivered from the evil one and be reinhabited by seven other devils far worse than the first (Lk 11:26). It's possible for a Christian to fall into a condition worse than unbelief (2 Pt 2:20).
The Bible warns us to take care. "My fear is that, just as the serpent seduced Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may fall away from your sincere and complete devotion to Christ" (2 Cor 11:3).
We must "encourage one another daily while it is still 'today,' so that no one grows hardened by the deceit of sin" (Heb 3:13). We don't have it made, but "He Who calls us is trustworthy, therefore He will do it" (1 Thes 5:24). Let's encourage one another, not because we are ignorant about our weakness but because we are sure of His promises.
In our weakness His power reaches perfection (2 Cor 12:9). We were saved not by our power, but by His. Likewise, we persevere in life with Jesus by His power. "In Him everything continues in being" (Col 1:17). "We have become partners of Christ only if we maintain to the end that confidence with which we began" (Heb 3:14).
Prayer: If it weren't for Jesus...Thank You, Jesus.
Promise: "We have become partners of Christ only if we maintain to the end that confidence with which we began." —Heb 3:14
Praise: St. Hilary had great zeal to defend the true Catholic faith. As a result of his teaching and his perseverance, all of Gaul (France) was freed from heretical teaching.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Staying Filled With the Spirit on audio AV 57-1 or video V-57.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard Walling, July 7, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004