From Pastor John Collins, Evangelist:
“You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.’ Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.” Romans 11:19-21 (NKJV).
Why is the Old Testament relevant? It is there to teach you how God deals with His people. As believers in Jesus Christ, you must know what is expected of you in your relationship with God and in order to know this you are to become knowledgeable in how He dealt with the Jews who are the natural branches of the olive tree, while you are of the wild olive tree.
There is a need to recognize the mistakes that the Jewish people made in their relationship with God so that you do not make the same ones. Do not become overconfident in your faith but always maintain reverence and awe in your contemplation of the Lord. Do not become too caught up in making money and gaining financial success that you forget the basics of your faith. Do not forget to tend to your heart and mind daily and to pray your way through life.
There are just too many people that do not put in any real effort or consistent effort toward getting into heaven but just assume that they are going there. Don’t take Jesus for granted but work your butt off to do as He has told you to do.
Never walk through life with any conceit because you know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and you believe in Him but have humility and pity for those that have yet to come to that knowledge and be willing to live a life that shines for Jesus so that others may come to the cross because of you.
“Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” Romans 11:22 (NKJV).
LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN
