Our faith is always personal to us

https://odb.org/2024/01/11/a-simple-request

The answer given by Jesus to Peter in John 21:22 when the latter asked Him what about John emphasises and reminds us the fact that our faith is always personal to us. Jesus said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you. You must follow me.”

We will be alone standing in front of Jesus at the Bema Seat of Christ, giving an account of our lives. Our pastor or cell group leader or shepherd or parents or brothers or sisters, or spouse will not be there with us. Or rather, we can not argue that so and so were such; therefore, we were like that. Or we were taught this way, and thus, we were like that. In the same way that we are not competing with anyone in our race to our finish line, we can not compare to anyone else for our underachievements in Christ. We are measured against what Christ had planned for us as God’s will for us. Each of us has our own unique journey of faith and tasks, and we will be measured against that. So Jesus said to Peter – if I want John to live until I return, that’s not your concern. You just need to follow me.

Christian life is not a bed of roses. We are all familiar with that. There are ups and downs. But neither is salvation a ticket to eternal life only. Once we have accepted Christ, our lives are not our own. We belong to Christ. Our lives are a living sacrifice unto Him. To serve Him in His Kingdom of Grace. That’s why Paul said – to live is Christ and to die is gain. If we die, we will live our eternal life, but if we live, we live for Christ.

Remember two things today. One is that we will face Christ alone one day as our spiritual life is our sole responsibility. Secondly, salvation is more than just booking a place in eternal life as there is a redeemed life to be lived while here on earth.