Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Building Endurance

"And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22). Have you noticed Christianity is not going to be the dominant culture in America. Jesus gave us the instruction in the verse above because true discipleship can be hard and very demanding. We live in a culture where most folks, believers included want things as to be as simple and easy as possible. Christian values are not going to be dominate our culture. The Lord Jesus is telling us to be ready to face unfair criticism and rejection. It has always been an uphill battle to change the hearts and minds of men and women in any society. We as God's children are the very tools God uses to be a blessing to others. We have been entrusted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the "Power of God unto salvation for those who believe." We are like beggars telling other beggars where we found bread. Nothing satisfies the starving soul like the "Bread of Life", our Lord Jesus. The ones who "Endure until the end" are believers. Nothing shows what we are made of like persecution. In centuries past it was the blood of the martyrs that became the seed of the church. The Christian life is not a play ground but a battle ground. The hope of America and our world is the Lord Jesus Christ. When I was in Bible College one of my professors had a check up at the Mayo Clinic. The professor was witnessing to the Doctor and the Doctor asked "Do you believe in the literal return of Jesus Christ?" My professor assured the Physician he did. To which the Doctor responded "People like you ought to be locked away." I believe this was a taste of things to come in the way our culture will view believers. I am pleased to proclaim our God will sustain us. Remember the three men in the fiery Furnace. The Son of God walked in with them. The only thing they lost were the bonds that held them. They walked out free men. Let's determine in our hearts that as we walk in union with Christ, we will endure to the end. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

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