In the midst of a world that ever more chooses to degrade and shun Christianity, Christians find it ever more difficult to live. It seems more and more that those who choose Christ and walk the narrow path to righteousness, walk in the midst of less and less fellow walkers. Indeed, Revelation shares that 144,000 were found blameless and worthy enough to be with the Lamb before God’s wrath was exercised. Day after day, more and more believers fall aside and in doing so fall victim to the temptation and draw of the world. They fail to persevere and stay firm in their faith, no matter how much the world entices them…no matter how much of a minority they become…no matter how much persecution comes their way. They wait in eager anticipation for their reward which lies not in the here and now but in the eternal future that comes after death through Jesus Christ.
Our scripture today uses some key words to help us as we seek to persevere through present day persecution until Jesus returns. First, persecuted Christians need encouragement. Persevering through mistreatment can be a lonely endeavor if we’re trying to go it alone. Thank goodness, we’re not going through it alone…for we can either count on another who is also enduring persecution to encourage us or we can simply turn to the Lord, our constant Companion and very present Help in times of trouble.
Secondly, persecuted Christians need to be patient. No one knows when Jesus will return. We just know He is coming back as He promised. The wait that ensues while we watch for Jesus can be painstaking. And we may not see His coming before we pass away and go to be with the Father. Either way, the good news is that those who live a life of obedient service to Jesus and His Father will join them in heaven whether they die before Jesus returns or are taken up into heaven with him at the rapture. The call is for us to be patient.
Last, we’re to stay "firm to the end, obeying His commands and trusting in Jesus." We stay firm by not wavering in our faithfulness and obedience. The hymn, "Trust and Obey", offers the following words to describe our experience after patient perseverance:
"Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we'll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey."
Staying firm requires strength and you don’t have near enough strength to stand against Satan and his associates. Only through the strength of Christ living and abiding within you can you persevere and cross the finish line into eternity with the Savior. Remember Paul’s words in Philippians: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
So in sum, one needs encouragement, patience, obedience and faith to persevere through persecution. All these can be found in their purest forms through Jesus the Christ…the One who assures us that, "Blessed are those who die in the Lord…they are blessed indeed because they will rest from all their toils and trials."
Thanks be to God for the promises found in His only Son.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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