The Best of the Portals of Prayer

Read: 1st John 2:18-24 / Psalm 73

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.”
1st John 2:19

Are You with Us?

They came to the Christian gatherings. They associated with believers. They said all the right things and went through the motions of “religion”. Then, for whatever reason, they left. It happened to the community of believers that John was writing to. The people in his congregation likely said, “but they were so active and sincere! What happened?”
We also can go through the motions of “religion”, have Christian friends, know the liturgy of the worship backwards and forwards, but salvation is still all about Jesus. How do you know if you are a part of God’s people? John says that God’s people remain together. In Holy Baptism, God put His name on you, made you His child, and gave you salvation. It is still important, though, to remain within the body of believers, to attend worship regularly, to hear God’s Word, and to receive the Lord’s Supper frequently. By remaining in the company of God’s saints, our faith is strengthened and preserved to life everlasting.

Dear Lord, help me to faithfully remain in the fellowship of Your Church, now and for eternity. Amen.

February 28, 1991