"Will We End In Faith?"

  As one reads from the Old Testament, we see the many kings that reigned over Judah and Israel. When the kingdom divided in 931 BC, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (called the tribe of Judah) remained faithful to the Lord with some faithful kings. The ten tribes of Israel never had one king that was faithful and it was carried off into captivity in 722 BC by Assyria.

  Looking at the Judah side, the tribe Jesus came from, many of their faithful and righteous kings didn't end that way. King Uzziah stayed faithful to the Lord with a heart of faith but later in his life, his faith wained and he failed. Even before the nation divided, King Saul (the first king of Israel) and Solomon both started as faithful men to the Lord but later in their lives, they went off into corruption and unfaithfulness.

  What do we learn? For many who have been in Christ for years this should be a sobering lesson. We tend to think that because one has years in the Lord, they taught classes and were looked to as godly doesn't mean they end up that way. We have a tendency to think faith grows with age but that's not necessarily true. In fact, corruption many times can grow with age because early on, brethren never learned to 'put off' the old self and 'put on' the new self (Eph. 4:22). The longer that old self stays, the more corrupt we slowly become until one day it shows itself completely. Age does not necessarily translate into faith!

  The faith in one's old age is maintained the same way it was acquired upon conversion. It all began with a heart that responded to the teaching of God's word and a continuance in hearing God's word. Over time people can become hardened and the word of God no longer impacts them as it once did. The attitude that they have arrived or matured seems to take over and "we have heard this before" attitude sets in. Bible studies are no longer for seeking the Lord but listening for something misspoken! Instead of encouraging, they begin finding fault. Jude encourages the brethren to builld themselves up on your most holy faith (Jude 20). Those who don't are described as following their own lusts, cause divisions, worldly-minded, and devoid of the Spirit (Jude 18-19). Our faith must be maintained with an humble heart and a heart of faith listening to His word.

  The same God who showed Himself to us in His word when we were younger will show Himself strong when we are old, provided we have the faith and heart to let Him. That should give us all a reason to pause and examine.