Mr. Small Slips

Maybe your pastor's gone on this Lord's Day,
Or the kids will preach and provide the choir.
Is one furloughed who serves in Mandalay,
Scheduled to show slides of the muck and mire?
That's when Satan whispers, "Stay home today;
Let your stubble grow; lean back, feet upraised!
No one that counts will miss you anyway;
And it matters not from where God is praised!
You work so hard at church throughout the year,
You deserve one Sunday just to kick up!"
Why, then, is your conscience so hard to clear,
And you yell at the kids, and swat the pup?
The devil tempts the faithful most of all,
Because he knows small slips lead to a fall!

"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12)

I believe Paul meant this admonition to Christians who think they are saved by living according to a formula or checklist. He knew there were several scriptures that ostensibly state one or two or more specific steps required for salvation, but that its actual achievement is not certain until Christ reads the candidate's heart in judgment after death of the flesh. The term work above does not mean salvation is achieved by particular works, but it does mean each person must concern himself for sincerity of belief; what attitudes, character traits, and priorities possessed; as well as habits and activities of service and love to others.

1. No human being or religion can guarantee that a particular individual will be saved. God determines that by judging the depth and mix contained in the heart during physical life and after death.

2. Sincerely believe in historical Jesus as God in man's flesh

3. Admit that you commit sins by disobeying God's commandments, and by omitting to do things you should do. Humble yourself before God and ask Him to forgive you, repeatedly, as long as you live.

4. Put God first in your life above everyone else, and above everything else. Recognize that you must learn as much as you can of His Holy Bible; follow Him in baptism and put His church and its training and worship activities into your life. Learn to love all people (friends, eneimies, strangers) and practice it at all times.

5. Realize that doing all these things may not save you; not doing every item mentioned or any one item will not condemn you. As previously stated, it all depends on what God finds in your heart!

I hope you see Paul's admonition as a warning---each one of us must work out his own salvation. Back to the poem; if we immerse ourselves in regular church attendance and service, staying home one Sunday for no good reason won't cost us our salvation, but practicing such small slips in every Godly activity might erode our resolve and end up changing the approved mix in our heart to something less pleasing to God.