Teach us to be faithful.

Jesus does not mince words about describing hell. It’s a real place and there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. But what is really terrifying is who He says will go there. He tells the story of the faithful servant doing what he should be doing while the master is gone. Then He tells the story of the evil servant who beats his fellow servants and drinks with the drunkards. When the master comes back, he will be furious and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mat 24:51)

With the hypocrites! Not mass murderers or pedophiles. When I look back on my life, I see how much I said I believed in God, only to give in to panic and fear over and over again. Yes, that was hypocritical. Hypocrite: a person who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs. (Merriam-Webster)

God save us from hypocrisy. Help us to trust You and live as You taught us to live. Help us be light and salt to the world. Let us be Your good and faithful servants of the kingdom. Help us to grow from faith to faith, trusting You with everything we’ve got. Let us live in your blessing, on earth as it is in heaven.