07/05/23 DERAILED AND SIDETRACKED

07/05/23 DERAILED AND SIDETRACKED

Derailed and Sidetracked are two of Satan's ways to destroy those who have turned to Jesus. The rail or track is the path along which a believer travels, while following Jesus.

A train is derailed when a sudden and catastrophic event removes a train from its tracks. Spiritually, this is when a Christian is completely separated from a right relationship with God; when a believer is no longer following Christ.

A train is sidetracked when it moves off of the main route. This can be temporary and may even be for the benefit of the train. However, when a believer is sidetracked, he has left the prescribed path and taken another route. This may be for a brief time, but it is still a separation from God's call. Temporary sidetracking can be eternally costly, to the one who is sidetracked or to others who are traveling with the sidetracked believer. Being sidetracked can also become a lifelong condition. I remember seeing train cars which have been sidetracked and left sitting, uselessly sitting for years.

Don't allow Darkness to get you offtrack. You must watch and deliberately choose to be faithful to God. God's word tells us to abide, continue, remain, follow. 

God's words to Jude are appropriate at this time. 

Jude 1:14-25 (especially notice the designated *verses)
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,
15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.
19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
*20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
*21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;
23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
*24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. 

Obviously this is a subject with many ramifications. It would be a great "discussion starter."