Slideshow image

Ron Writes

Most of us have been vaccinated against a host of diseases. Soon, we’ll be getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines introduce our bodies to a weakened or inert amount of the virus. This teaches our immune system how to recognize and fight the virus. In simple terms, you get just enough of the virus to prevent you from getting the real thing.

Is it possible to get just enough of the gospel to prevent you from getting the real thing? Jesus explained in the parable of the soils that some believe for a while, but then fall away (Lk. 8:13). There are those who start out being drawn to Jesus, but never have more than a superficial faith.

It’s amazing that in John 8:30-31 Jesus begins speaking with those Jews “who had believed in Him,” yet in vs 44 he says to this same group of Jews, “You are of your father the devil.” Then in the following verse, He told them “you do not believe in Me” (Jn. 8:45). There was something very shallow about their belief. In the parable of the wheat and the tares Jesus implies that it’s not always easy to tell the difference between the false and genuine believer. Most of us have known those who started off well, even leaders in the church, but they fell away. Exposed to the Truth but falling short.

What is the benchmark of genuine faith? In the same text referenced above Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (Jn. 8:31-32). Continuance. Endurance. Perseverance. As Hebrews emphasizes, “But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in Him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul” (Heb. 10:38-39). As we sing, “Oh for a faith that will not shrink, though pressed by every foe” (Bathhurst).