Your faith is treasured possession

Any deviation from Biblical principles is an open door for disaster.

This concept is as old as time itself. It can be traced in history as far back as can be pursued.

An undeniable result of transgression is that it never happens in isolation. The fact that "one does as he or she pleases as long as it doesn't hurt someone else" is impossible to achieve. Sin is not an island.

This concept applies in every walk of life whether it is in the highest ranking office of the land or in the common working man.

The harsh realization that "character really does count" is a bitter pill to swallow. We teach and train our children to be honest, to strive for integrity and to be accountable, and yet this does not apply when we go to the voting polls.

We spend billions fighting drugs and crime. We put more policemen on our streets. We make laws forbidding the sale of tobacco to our young people, but where are the role models?

The old adage "do what I say, not what I do," screams and thunders to a double standard and young people see through the hypocrisy.

Any discussion about "family values" hardly seems appropriate now in the light of recent political developments.

So more than ever we need to guard our faith. It is more precious than gold. It must be guarded at all costs because we live in a world that continually seeks to erode it.

Psychic seeks an audience. Immorality is boldly flaunted with no hint of shame. Sheer blasphemy and irreverence for God are shown daily on TV and profanity prevails. Is there an outright conspiracy to present sin as the norm?

Some scientists have concluded that leave little questionable "innuendoes" as to the creation of man.

I make no apologies or excuses. My faith is far too precious to me to have it lessened or demeaned. It bothers me immensely for any disturbance of my faith. I must guard it because the world seems to take pot shots at faith filled people.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6, KJV).

We are in a fight to preserve and protect our faith. Faith filled people have their eyes on Jesus. They have "his word" in their hearts. They know where they are going and they will not bend an ear to the cries of doubt and unbelief.

Faith filled people do not give up, back up, let up or shut up about their faith. When it comes to the end of life faith filled people are spiritual millionaires.

The apostle Paul states in Philippians 4:13-14: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Show me a faith filled person and I will show you an individual that has made peace with God. Your faith is the greatest thing you have.

Guard your faith it is a most treasured possession.

Portales resident Joan Clayton is a retired teacher and published author. Her e-mail address is: [email protected]