When my children were younger, they, too, loved piggyback rides. But a time came when they were simply too big to carry. The time for their piggyback rides came to an end. As they grew older, I would talk with them often about their faith and making it their own. I explained that though Scott and I believed in Christ and put our faith in Jesus, it was a personal decision we made. I shared with my kids that one day, they too would have to make a decision all on their own. I told them there would be a time they could no longer ride on our coat tails or piggyback on our faith in Jesus Christ. As much as I wanted it for them, I could not make the decision for them. It was their personal decision to make.
My children had eventually outgrown piggyback rides. That’s true for all of us. We can’t piggyback on the faith of others when it comes to our salvation in Jesus Christ. Sure, we can partner with faith-filled followers of Christ to be encouraged and increase our faith, but the decision to believe in Jesus the Messiah and Savior of the world is a personal decision. No one can make that decision for you. It’s yours to hopefully make—true faith in Christ that pleases the heart of the Father.
Apostle Paul wrote a challenge in his second letter to the Corinthians. In 2 Corinthians 13:5 we read, “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it,” (MSG).
Have you taken the test? How did you do? Like Paul said, test yourselves to make sure you are solid in your faith. Don’t coast or piggyback on others and take things for granted. Look for the firsthand evidence that Jesus is in you. If you fail the test, stop and repent and tell Christ you are sorry. Ask for forgiveness and tell God you put your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior! You have the answer to the test! Jesus is the answer. I am rooting for truth to win! I am cheering for you to make your faith in Jesus Christ your own!
If Jesus Christ is already in you because you have put your faith in Him, what a beautiful testimony you have! Share it. Be rooting for truth to win out in those around you too. How can you help spur someone on in their decision for Christ? Help them have their own firsthand evidence that Jesus Christ is in them.
As the sign said: No piggybacking. No more trying to piggyback on the salvation of others. It’s a decision only you can make! It’s personal. It’s time all of us test ourselves to know we have firsthand evidence Christ is our Lord!
How can you make Monumental Moments and live to multiply His movement today?
