A true Christian is someone who believes in the Son:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
— Jn. 3:16, KJV
Our hope begins with Him.
You do not earn salvation by attending church, giving to the poor, tithing, spreading the gospel, reading the Word, or praying. These practices grow out of faith and a continuing relationship with Jesus Christ. They are our response to His grace, not the price we pay for it.
“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
— Jn. 6:28–29, KJV
Jesus Christ paid the price for your salvation through His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, out of His immeasurable love for you.
But that raises a question.
Why does Scripture tell us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17)? Why does Jesus say, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15)? And why does He give us this greatest commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt. 22:37)?
If these things do not earn our salvation, why are we commanded to do them?
Because salvation is the beginning of a life with God—and He gives us His Spirit to help us live it.
We are called to obey, but we are not left to do so in our own strength.
When we struggle to pray, the Spirit helps us:
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
— Rom. 8:26, KJV
When we struggle to share the gospel, the Spirit gives us boldness:
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
— Acts 4:31, KJV
And as we learn to love and worship the Lord with our whole being, we remember the worship the Father seeks:
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
— Jn. 4:23–24, KJV
Do you see how much God has provided? Forgiveness through the cross. A mediator in heaven, Jesus Christ. And the Holy Spirit, our Helper, who strengthens us through our weakness and teaches us to walk with Him.
And how do we attain all this? Faith.
If you are struggling to attend church, bring that struggle to the Lord. He knows you better than anyone else. Ask Him to guide you toward a community where you can worship and grow.
If sharing the gospel frightens you, ask for courage. When an opportunity arises, trust the Holy Spirit to help you speak with love and boldness.
If generosity does not come easily, ask Him to soften your heart and help you respond to the needs before you.
You do not have to become mature overnight. Keep trusting Him, respond to His leading, and give Him room to work in you:
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
— Jas. 1:4, KJV
I will leave you with one more verse that has been speaking to me lately, as I, too, am in a season of waiting:
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
— Ps. 27:14, KJV
Until next time, and as always, stand firm in Christ.
Stand Firm in Christ 
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