Mortifying Moments & How to Avoid a Major One

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We’ve all had them: mortifying moments. Recently as I stirred a huge pot of chili, I recalled one such moment in my life.

I was a fairly new wife who covered every detail before company arrived—like cleaning the entire house and working on the meal. One particular day, we hosted my husband’s aunt, uncle, and cousin. I think I served meatloaf, and I still remember my mortification as my cousin-in-law pulled a long hair from his mouth while we ate. Ewwwww!

I cringe as I remember. I’m still embarrassed, too. And I promise, this isn’t a regular occurrence with my cooking.

No one likes to endure mortifying moments. They replay in our minds like a damaged dvd. We adjust the best we can to ensure we don’t make the same mistake twice.

So, how about utilizing this mindset in our spiritual lives? 1 John 2:28 reads, “And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”

The word, ‘abide,’ is written in the present imperative tense, which refers to “continuous or repeated action” (Key Word Study Bible, pg. 1703). By understanding the verb tense, we can deduce the following:

In order to meet Christ without shame, we must repeatedly abide in Him.

Will we mess up? Make mistakes? Drop the ball? You bet. But God’s grace will sustain us through every up and down, strengthening us to Get. Back. Up … to brush off our knees and abide in Him once again.

Let’s do this, friends. Let’s not allow the distractions of this world, the empty pursuits of our flesh, or the disappointments of life to get us off track. Let’s press on toward our Savior—diligently seeking HIM every single day of our lives. What more could we desire or ask for?

A new year begins on January 1. Will 2017 be the year we set our sights on Christ more passionately … the year we purpose to grow closer to Him by choosing daily time in His Word and prayer?

As surely as I’m typing these words, Jesus is coming. Soon. Let’s…

  • Say “No” to worldliness and fleshly pursuits as well as ungodly speech and behavior.
  • Say “Yes” to daily Bible reading and prayer.
  • Say “Yes” to godliness, holiness, and righteousness—to walking in the Spirit.
  • Love others in Christlike ways.
  • Abide in Christ day by day, knowing this truth: “for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).

Whatever level of closeness with God we enjoy, there’s always room for growth.

Let’s focus on our relationship with God now so we’re not mortified when Christ returns.

In Christ’s Love,

Tweetables:

In order to meet Christ without shame, we must repeatedly abide in Him. (Click to tweet)

The Lord always hears our cries, always satisfies, and never disappoints. (Click to tweet)

Let’s focus on our relationship with God now so we’re not mortified when Christ returns. (Click to tweet)

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