As our new church began to take shape, Dick (a salty ex-navy guy) and Ron (a businessman) were appointed as elders of our small congregation. And every Monday our men’s group met at Ron’s house.
You’re probably thinking, “Yea! Look at Ron! He’s making giant steps in following Christ! So now life is great, right?”
Well, sort of. Because there was a woman at Ron’s work who was using the office photocopier to make pictures of herself, and she was leaving them on Ron’s desk. Ron was sorely tempted sometimes to accept her offer of sin. Also, around the same time, some kids in Ron’s neighborhood made some false accusations about Ron, and the neighbors believed the lies and hassled Ron a lot.
In some ways like Joseph, Ron was getting slammed. Joseph lived with integrity, but he got body-slammed by lies. Was it Satan? Was it God? Why did Joseph have to suffer that way? (In Genesis 40 Joseph also gets slammed again.)
This is how it often goes with sanctification. When it seems that your spiritual life is improving, you can’t help expecting that God will bless and reward you. But instead things go wrong. So it was with Ron.
But Ron did not quit walking with God. Though he was angry and hurt, he kept on. This is what a sanctified Christian must do: Trust God, stay true, and keep on.
Lord, the path I walk is often steep and rough. Please walk with me and help me. In Jesus, Amen.mann
About the author — Keith Mannes
Keith Mannes serves as pastor at Highland Christian Reformed Church in McBain, Michigan. Keith and his wife, Alicia, recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary,
and they are thankful for their three children—Eben, Charis, and Breanna.
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