NEVER SAY NEVER

Wherefore let him that thinketh

he standeth take heed lest

he fall.

I Corinthians 10:12

Recalling days gone by, and hearing the above title from folks as to what they would never do. The Corinthian church was for the most part a mess. That church didn't start out that way. I'm sure they could be referred to as a mega church like we would see mega churches in our day. Paul was doing his best to try to rein in this church that had given in to so many ways of the world. We could read both books written to those church folks by Paul and wonder how things could go so wrong.

In many cases, the word “never” comes into play in many such circumstances. When a church is new and growing, that church may have the best of intentions. All is new, fresh and exciting in those circumstances and the believers cannot imagine anything going wrong.

In our day, churches view each other, whether they are in the same community or denomination. Some churches begin to set what they consider worthy goals regarding church size, popularity, varied outreach ministries. Many may view that things will never change but will only get better and better. Because of pride and conceit, things can and often do change.

I've heard many personal “never” comments through the years, such as:

*I'll never forsake the Lord.
*I'll never miss Sunday school and church
*Our church will never turn liberal like others have
*I'll never miss even one day of reading my Bible
*I'll never talk bad about others.
*I'll never forsake my family
*I'll never turn my back on God.

There is nothing wrong in aiming to do things right that will honor the Lord, but we have to remember we are human beings and we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit in us in fulfilling all those right things. Even in this case, we often try to do too many things in our own strength. Most days, our strength just won't be enough.

I pray we will come to be very knowledgeable about who we are with all of our frailties. It's a worthy goal to be always faithful to God in our spiritual walk. If a “never” ever comes to pass, I pray we will be quick to confront such sin and appreciate so much God's grace and mercy that will be EVER available to us.

Father, we're so grateful for Your grace and mercy in our lives. We are often pompous in our spiritual walk and fall flat because we don't rely on Your Spirit to steer us in Your directions. Thank You that Jesus would never turn His back on us...NEVER. In His name...Amen