Stumbling Through

In this Epistle, Jude, the brother of James and the half-brother of Jesus, appears urgent in his purpose to warn Christians against false teachers. It begins and ends, though, with great affirmations of God’s gracious actions on behalf of believers, stressing His divine preservation…that is, His loving power that keeps us from stumbling through this faith journey.

It has been said that we “stumble out of bed” in the morning, and “stumble through our day,” then “stumble into bed” at night. But is that anyway to journey through our Christian life? Unfortunately, many of us do just that…stumble through.

That was never God’s intentions for us. His desire is for us to live empowered and victorious lives…to have our feet confidently and securely anchored to the Rock. The scriptures talk of lifting our heads and walking with boldness in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Yet too many of us are unsteady in our gait and unsure of our path.

The word stumble means, “to cause to fall, totter, waiver through weariness of legs.” It denotes unsteadiness and instability. Not at all how we are called to walk this walk of faith.

Jude tells us that our steadiness is not of our own strength and ability…it is Jesus who keeps us from stumbling. It is His power, and His might that strengthens us. How? By giving us His Spirit to lead and guide us.

The book of Proverbs tells us that if we choose His wisdom and not our own, our walk is secure and our feet will not stumble (Pro.3:23). Walking on the straight path of God’s perfect plan also keeps us from stumbling. And loving our brothers and sisters assures of a secure footing (1 Jn.2:10)

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn. (Jer.31:9) 

Walking in His Light keeps us steady and if we listen diligently to His Word, we have His promise that we can walk securely no matter what the terrain might be (Jn.16:1). And if we apply zeal and diligence to our faith we will never stumble! (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of zeal)

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. (2 Pet.1:5-10)   

Wow! God promises to keep us steady in our walk…keeping us from wavering and tottering from weariness when we simply follow Him. He will keep us as we keep Him. We have all seen someone stumble over something. Sometimes they fall, and sometimes they regain their balance and simply continue on their way. If we stumble spiritually, the Lord will help us regain our faith balance and set us back on the path of victory. Amen.

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