Secure

I grew up believing that I could lose my relationship with God. I thought that I could be a Christian in the morning, sin by lunch, and therefore be headed for hell in the afternoon. I thought that my relationship with Jesus depended on me. How about you? What does your relationship with God depend on?

All of us have something in common with Velma Thomas. We were dead. We were dead in our sins. There was no sign of spiritual brain activity. We were helpless, hopeless. But then God came to our spiritual bedside. Here’s how Paul describes it.

I grew up believing that I could lose my relationship with God. I could be a child of God in the morning, sin at lunch, and be kicked out of his family by the afternoon. I walked on spiritual eggshells. Insecurity characterized my spiritual walk. Sometimes, I was certain of heaven; other times, following an act of sin, I was on my way to hell.

Training and preparation produce confidence. An army moves assuredly when they have studied the enemy, understand the terrain, and are properly suited up. Battle readiness produces victory. To be battle ready we need the right gear. We have learned that the belt of truth allows us to move freely without stumbling. The breastplate of righteousness protects our heart and keep us on the right path. Today, let’s consider additional components of our battle gear—the shoes, the shield, and the helmet.

In his writing, the apostle Peter often referred to the Old Testament to make his point about Jesus. In today’s passage, Peter cites Isaiah 28:16. Here, he likens Jesus to the “cornerstone chosen and precious” used to build a secure and sure foundation.

Then one day, studying Scripture, I learned that nothing could separate me from the love of God found in Christ alone. It was like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders. That day, on a hot parking lot in Dallas, Texas, I understood that I was a child of God and would forever be!

My relationship with God is secure, and my final home is in heaven, but I am not there yet. The penalty of sin is gone, but the propensity to sin remains.

Jesus is your strong tower today, tomorrow, and throughout eternity. Run to him and experience his embrace. He will never let you go.

He alone fills our fearful and unsettled hearts with peace and joy.