Overconfident

"Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall."

1 Corinthians 10:12

When we place our hope and confidence in Christ, that is a good thing, but confidence in self is dangerous. Writing to the church in Corinth, Paul issues a warning to believers who might be tempted to think they are spiritually immune to falling into sin. Israel’s history shows that even those who have seen God work powerfully can still fall into sin if they grow careless, proud, or complacent.

Think of the Apostles at the Last Supper. If anybody should have been able to stand firm in their faith, it should have been them. Matthew records the following,

Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’  But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” But Peter answered and said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” Matthew 26:31-35a

We are very familiar with Peter’s sin of denying Jesus Christ. But look at what Matthew records: “All the disciples said the same thing, too.”  Mat. 26:35 b. All eleven would deny Him and scatter. They thought they could stand firm, but they did not.

The Christian life isn’t about perfection, but about dependence. Standing firm means standing in Christ, not in ourselves. If you’ve been walking strong lately, praise God—but also remain watchful. Humility keeps us grounded, and grace keeps us standing.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark