Bible full of people just like us

Do you ever feel all alone, the only one carrying the load, or that no one else shares your problems or is concerned for you?

In James 5:16-18, we see Elijah was a man (person) just like us. While Elijah demonstrated great faith, he also had some weaknesses in his faith. For example, upon the defeat of Baal’s prophets, he fled after being threatened by the Queen and had a pity party God didn’t stand for (1 Kings 18:1-40; 19:1-18). Know this: God doesn’t like self-pity; he expects us to maintain the faith. Even when he seems silent, he’s with us in a powerful way if we maintain our faith through obedience (Matthew 28:18-20; John 15:9-15).

Peter was another person just like us because he, too, sometimes had a problem with faith (Acts 10:24-26; Matthew 14:22-32). When Jesus calmed a storm previously, he chastised his disciples for their fear (Matthew Mark 4:35-40). Fear follows doubt, and both interfere with our faith and our salvation because lack of faith denies Jesus and his resurrection (Romans 10:8-10; Matthew 10:28-33; 1 John 4:15-18). Peter overcame his fear and doubt and faced life’s troubles recognizing God’s protection and because he learned others have the same troubles (1 Peter 1:3-9; 5:6-9). Know this: Even when Jesus was asleep, he cared about his disciples’ safety. So, we have nothing to fear if we love God.

Another person just like us was Paul, who called himself the chief of sinners saved to prove anyone could be saved (Acts 14:8-15; I Timothy 1:12-17; Romans 3:23; 6:23). All Christians struggle with sin as Paul did, but we need not fear the eternal consequences if we add to our faith (Romans 7:15-25; 1 John 1:5-9; 2 Peter 1:3-11). Know this: We’re not to esteem anyone equally to God because they’re all people just like us (you have to read the cited Scripture passages to know where this came from, along with Matthew 23:8-12).

Finally, Jesus was a person just like us, sort of (Hebrews 4:14-16; 2:14-18; Colossians 2:9; Philippians 2:5-11). Although flesh and blood, Jesus was without sin; nonetheless, as the Son of God, he took on our sins so, as Abraham’s descendants, we wouldn’t have to pay the wages of sin (1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:14; Titus 2:11-14). Through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, we, too, can be without sin (Romans 6:3-11).

Elijah, Peter, and Paul had a faith-based righteousness, but they weren’t the source of that righteousness, and neither will we be because righteousness comes from God through our faith (Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21). That promise applies only to Abraham’s descendants, although anyone can become Abraham’s descendant and receive the righteousness from God through his Holy Spirit who reminds us we’re saved and who helps us remain blameless for sin (Galatians 3:26-29; 4:6-7; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 3:21-26; 8:1-17).

Whether you feel all alone, be sure you do what God says to become one of his children so he’ll be with you through it all.

Leonard Lauriault writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]