People of Light
A Light to All Nations – Part III

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42:6-17

Key Verse: Isaiah 42:6
“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.”

We have studied that all Christ-followers have God’s Spirit in them. If we remain in Jesus, we bear fruit. Today, let’s think about how we remain in Him, so we can be fruitful.

The process starts when we ask Jesus to forgive us and live in us. Though at that point we have little knowledge of God and are “babies” in Christ, we have all of God’s Spirit that we will ever receive. God does not parse out His Spirit, giving us a little at a time. From that point forward, we grow and mature becoming more and more effective in our walk with God.

To remain in Jesus, we must constantly remind ourselves of the truths that Jesus taught. The Apostle Paul referred to this in Philippians 3:1:

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Think about the phrase “a safeguard for you”. Paul, referring to the Philippians, was putting a safeguard around them as he reminded them of the truths of their faith. If we are going to remain (or abide) in Jesus, we need to safeguard our faith.

We need to form a habit of reading the Bible every day. Not to be a guilt trip, but this a desirable habit because it reminds us of the things that keep us abiding in Jesus. If you take fifteen minutes to read a small part of Scripture every day, by the end of the year you would accomplish what you need to abide in Jesus. I suggest focusing on the New Testament for you reading.

Another safeguard that all believers need is gathering with other believers. Look what the Hebrew writer wrote on this subject:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Each believer has the responsibility to help other believers along the way. If we skip gathering, we also lose many opportunities to encourage other believers. Also, when we get into the habit of skipping gatherings, we live in disobedience to this Scripture. Safeguard your faith and be faithful to the gatherings of believers.

Father, please help me put good habits in my life, such as reading Your Word and worshipping with other believers. Keep my faith strong in a world of wickedness. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.