A Moment With Pastor Fred

9/28/18

You’ve heard me repeat the quote from my Bible college president – “Few men finish well.” Those words haunt me. Regularly we hear of high-profile Christian leaders falling leaving many Christ-followers disillusioned and heartbroken. A few weeks ago, I was reminded of this when a man I knew – and at one time greatly respected died. He was a broken man. He hadn’t finished well.   

I was given an article about this that was so helpful. The author suggests the reason not finishing well is “neglect.” Benjamin Franklin said, “A little neglect may breed great mischief.” 

Someone has described neglect as “the laziest of all the vices.” No one wakes up and decides to intentionally throw away their integrity, family or ministry. It all begins so subtly.  

Our most relentless temptation are not blatant acts of moral stupidity but a daily willingness to neglect our love for Christ.  

The author writes, “Neglect entices us as a partial perfunctory affection for Christ while maintaining the outward activity of a Christian life … Trudging ahead with religious duty [without the] daily delight in Christ will lead us to empty pretense.”

What must we do? Jesus’ words to the church of Ephesus helps, Rev 2:1-7. We must repent – remembering our first love and return to Christ. May we trust the Lord daily for his empowerment, walking in the Spirit. By his all-sustaining grace, may we finish well for his glory.