Faithful to Christ—there is a good reason for our perseverance. After all, there is a Rock on which not only every believer can build but also the church. Thoughts from District Apostle Leonard R. Kolb (USA).
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Photo: NAC USA
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Photo: NAC USA
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Photo: NAC USA
In January, my wife and I had the opportunity to see a church built on a mountain in Arizona. As I looked at how impressively this building was founded on a rock in this mountain, I was reminded of the fact that Jesus Christ is our Rock.
Apostle Peter states in Acts 4: 11–12: “This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
We are wise to build our lives firmly on Christ, our Rock, for He is permanent and resilient. His life, teaching, sacrifice, resurrection, and ascension provide an unshakeable foundation.
We believe Jesus Christ is not only in our lives, but is also in His church—the church of Christ. Those who are baptised in the triune name of God, and who believe and profess Jesus Christ, experience Him in His church. He is our Rock. Even in times of turmoil, disappointment, and stress, we are assured that He is here and we are secure. Remember when Jesus was with the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, He chided them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). They had forgotten: Jesus was in the boat!
And further, if we believe that Christ is here, then we also believe that He, alone, will finish His church. “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
This means:
- He has called us to be in His Church for a purpose. And we believe He has equipped us for this purpose, thus, He will help us to fulfil it.
- we believe in His omnipotence and that, despite conditions without and within, He will accomplish His intentions.
Part of being faithful to Christ means we will endure, as our brethren in the first Church, without wavering. We realise that Jesus does not measure success by numbers, as we are sometimes prone to do. Instead, let us focus our efforts on our personal transformation and help others around us as they also transform.
Let us remain resolute in our fidelity to Christ, determined to continue serving and giving, despite setbacks. Out of our true love for Christ, let us continue in what He has called us to do.