The lines across the road marking a crosswalk invite people into a zone of safe passage. But I do not see safety. I see the crosswalk offering little more than a false sense of safety, after all it offers no barrier to harm but only a hope that cars will stop and wait for a person to cross. People feel safer than they really are within the crosswalk zone.
With the advent of the Walkman, people ventured into the supposed safe zone oblivious to the cars whizzing by. This presumed safety continues even to this day with the prevalence of cell phones, play list, and ear buds even as the danger increases with today’s quiet electric cars. Too often we are satisfied with just feeling safe rather than being safe, and this applies to our spiritual lives as well.
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NASB95)
The words “take heed” in the above verse applies to both the one who is truly secure in Christ and the one who is falsely secure in their walk with God. For those living for God, the words serve as an encouragement to examine oneself by God’s standard starting with the basic habits of the secure Christian. First, to pray asking God if there is anything edging its way in between themselves and God. Secondly, to read His word with a searching heart and a sincere desire to know God better. Thirdly, to examine the church one attends to assure them self of its biblical foundation and teachings, that it is neither an ear-tickling church nor tending toward false doctrines. A person should attend a bible teaching church. These basic habits of Bible study, prayer, and attending a bible teaching church feed the Christian spirit.
The person affected by a false sense of security in their spiritual life are likely missing some of the habits mentioned above. The basic habits of the secure Christian are essential to one’s staying on track with God. A person may need discipling to learn how to serve and worship God in the way He desires. Or a person may require an attitude adjustment and change in their approach to God to desire Him for the Right reasons and to live for Him.
Some may say, “Salvation is by grace alone, and what your describing is work.” Well, its not work if your love it and its a joy to spend time with God. The evidence of a person’s salvation is found in their relationship with Christ. A person cannot be a Christian one day a week and then live like the devil the rest of the week. The ancient nation of Israel tried that sort of thing, and it did not work out well for them. The tenth chapter of First Corinthians discusses this and it is worth taking the time to read the whole chapter. The book of Romans puts the Christian’s position in perspective.
You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
Romans 11:19–21 (NASB95)
The Jews were and are God’s chosen people. They are the natural branches, but God has extended his grace to the rest of the world also. Thus, Christians are grafted into Christ, the Vine so to speak, but God does not promise to leave unfaithful branches attached to the vine. Quite the contrary.
There is a judgement each of us will face. For the Christian it is a joyful and celebratory event. The unfaithful including those spiritually lulled to sleep with a false sense of safety, will attend a different judgment where the outcome is quite unhappy to say the least.
Take time to take heed that you do not fall.