ENDURING TO THE END

We are not saved because we endure, but we endure because we are saved. The grace of God that saves us, secures us, and sustains us. Even though Revelation 14 speaks specifically of those who will come to faith in a future time of tribulation, it also applies generally to saints of all the ages, and their “patience,” that is, their perseverance, (v. 12-13).  Those who are blood-washed and born again belong to Christ and endure to the end.

We note their RIGHTEOUSNESS,  “here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” (v. 12b).  Because we are kept by the grace of God, we are governed by God and keep His commands. As has been said, “Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone.”  Faith in Christ is the root of our salvation, but obedience is the fruit of it.

Further, we find their REST,  “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: ‘ “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” ’  ‘ “Yes,” ‘ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors,’ “ (v. 13a). The righteous who are faithful unto death need not fear death when it comes. If we are “in the Lord,” having a genuine relationship with Him, then we die in the Lord’s arms, as He rocks us to sleep, and carries us home.

Then comes their REWARD, “ ‘and their works follow them,’ ” (v. 13b).  The all-knowing God is documenting every deed done in His name and for His glory. Others may not take notice. We may never get recognition here, but we are assured of reward hereafter!  This reality is echoed in Hebrews 6:10,  “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

So, servant of God—press on!  Do not think about quitting!  So long as God keeps you here, keep true to Him, and He will keep you by His grace to endure to the end!

EXPOSITION AND EXHORTATION

As the Word of God is expounded, the people of God are exhorted to stay true to God. The Lord is the only One who can save us and secure us. It is His grace that does so. Yet, He has chosen to use human means as the channel for providing heaven’s might. God uses the power of His Word as it is proclaimed as the seed of salvation that sown in the heart inspires saving faith in those who receive it.  Paul states this in Romans 10:14-17:

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 

Further, the expounded Word is the means whereby God continues to channel sustaining grace into the hearts of believers. By that grace, we endure to the end. So, Hebrews stresses THE ESSENTIALITY OF EXHORTATION. We are called to exhort each other to endure. Those who remain true show true faith. While we are saved by faith alone, saving faith is never alone. Our works are not the root of salvation, but they are the fruit of it. There were Hebrews who had professed faith in Christ as the Messiah, yet a number of them when faced with pressure and persecution were going back to Judaism. By their apostasy they were revealing that while making profession of faith, there was no possession of faith. Abiding with the family of God gives us opportunity to reinforce our faith in God. We need it with regularity. As our body needs to be fed, so does our soul require daily bread. Christ overcame Satan by wielding the Sword of Scripture. In temptation, He responded, “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”’” (Matt. 4‬:‭4‬‬). 

The essentiality of exhortation is due to THE EFFICACY OF EXHORTATION. Perhaps you have heard the term,”Once saved, always saved.”  It is true, if understood as meaning, “IF saved, always saved.”  Where there is regeneration, power is provided to persevere.  Sadly, there are those who had an emotional or intellectual response to the Gospel who never had a volitional commitment to it . When the feelings faded, so did their “faith.”  Or when they seemed to embrace the facts of the Gospel in their mind, it never migrated to their heart. Well, the demons have that kind of belief—absolutely convinced in who Christ is and that He will one day cast them into hell. Yet such “belief” does not convert them, as they remain in their rebellion against God. Saving faith is when we receive Christ as Savior and Lord. We surrender our life to Him—once and for all. The reality of it is seen in that we press on and do not fall away.  In this hostile environment where we walk under the onslaught of the Devil, we need the exhortation that comes from the exposition of the Word to stand tall and stay true. 

That is what I am doing in expounding this Word—exhorting you. It is what I do when we gather as God’s people for worship as we exhort one another by “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.”(Eph. 5‬:‭19‬-‭21‬‬). 

Please hear this today and do not harden your heart!

PATIENCE, PAIN, PERSEVERANCE, AND PRODUCTIVITY

 

The earth has warmed and it is time to put in the garden. We labor as we till the soil, stoop to sow, with weeding to come.  Sore muscles and an aching back may attend our efforts, and for what?  Nothing, then a little shoot—and more work. It is not a process that can be hastened. Yet, when in the fall, should God bless with the proper amount of sun and showers, the harvest can be gathered.

James stresses this as he speaks of the harvest and the hope we have of the final gathering of the saints in God’s granary in glory at the end of the age.  Note the words, “patient,” “waits,” “waiting patiently,” “be patient,” “Establish your hearts,” “endure,” “perseverance.”

Stephen Olford made this observation:

Was it not Hudson Taylor who told a young candidate for the mission field that there were three very important lessons to learn in God's work? The first was patience; the second was patience; and the third was patience. 

Paul says that tribulation works patience. This was undoubtedly true in Job's case. He certainly suffered affliction! And so did many prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 

Lord, if I should have to pass by way of tribulation, I do pray that I may learn the lesson of patience.  (According to Your Word, p.221). 

As we do Gospel work, we must be cautious not to merely seek “decisions,” though we certainly desire and pray for fruit. We may share the Gospel and there is immediate receptivity. Yet, in many instances, the labor will be long and patience is required. Some fields are more labor intensive and can test our resolve.  Our job is to persevere through the pain of criticism, opposition, defection, disappointment, and so forth. Trust the Holy Spirit to do His work, as we do ours!  God sent the early rain at Pentecost and there have been intermittent showers.  Revelation promises the latter rain and a harvest from every nation—a great blood-washed throng!

A caution that James gives, “Do not grumble against one another.”  One of the issues we find on the mission field is that the difficulties faced breed impatience not only with the results, but fellow missionaries. When we are dealing with disappointment at the lack of visible results—as Satan is fighting us tooth and claw—it is easy to be short tempered and divisive. Many missionaries walk away at this point and never return to the field.

THE REAL DEAL

I would assume that virtually all people who read these words profess a belief in God, and even claim to be Christians. But, I may claim to be Superman.  I might even be sincere in that conviction. Yet, If I try to fly off a skyscraper or stop a speeding train by standing in front of it, the reality will be much different. 

The results of such mistaken identity would bring my physical demise, yet pale in comparison to the horror of thinking oneself heaven bound and ending up in hell!  That thought is not meant to raise doubt and fear in a tender heart that is sometimes prone to insecurity about salvation. There are those who worry needlessly.  It is an area where the Devil, who is a liar, periodically attacks those who have cast themselves upon Jesus for salvation.

Timothy had done that. Paul speaks of his utter assurance that the young man had a sincere faith—the real deal. Yet, the fact the Apostle brings it up, and almost in the next breathe underscores, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear,” would suggest Timothy struggled here. 

Still, Satan lies to another group whom he assures that they are saved when they are not. They may have had some experience—even an emotional one—in the past, but there is no evidence of genuine faith in the present. 

A misunderstood doctrine comes into play here—the perseverance of the saints. Some mischaracterize it with a sneer and point to those who have departed their prior belief as evidence one may be born again and then unborn.  At the opposite end of the spectrum there are those who rest in a prior “decision” who demonstrate no reality now. The doctrine is that if one is truly converted, then God gives them grace not only to save them, but sustain them and secure them. They may waver, wobble, wander, wonder, but God’s grace will keep them, even if He must discipline them. In the end they do not fall away, but stay faithful.

Phygelus and Hermogenes, as well as a number of others, had departed from Christ and the church. A promising beginning apparently brought a disappointing ending (2 Tim.1:15). Yet, in contrast here is a man, Onesiphorus, that sought Paul, stuck with him, and manifested he was the real deal (v.16-18). Paul prays (with every expectation) that he and his family will persevere and experience God’s mercy at the Day of Judgment. 

We hold on to God for He holds on to us. “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day” (v.12b). 

Are you the real deal?

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 22

 

Be Constant in Prayer

“Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up. ‘There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect people. And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, “Give me justice against my adversary.” ‘For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect people, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so that she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’” Then the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them? I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:1-8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Some have labored on our knees and through the verbal proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of those close to us. The years pile high with no inkling of spiritual interest on their part, and we begin to wonder if our whispered prayers are to the white walls in our room instead of to the God of the universe. Why has God not answered my prayers to save my best friend, brother or co-worker? Why is my one still not walking with the Lord? We assume the hard work of evangelism is spent preparing a perfectly crafted gospel presentation, getting the message out there and watching the Holy Spirit work. But perhaps the greater work happens on our knees when no one is watching. God hears our petitions to save those we love. He longs for them to be saved, too. He is not slow, and He desires all to repent and to come to a saving knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:9). Take heart, laborer. Always pray, never give up and do not grow weary of the good work you are doing in evangelism. Your Father hears you.

 Spend five minutes praying for your one and their salvation. Pray also the Lord would open doors to speak the truth of the gospel in love to them. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

THE COST OF CONVICTION

I wonder if we have considered much the suffering of our forbears who remained faithful to the Lord and His Word under threat, imprisonment, torture, and death?  I am reading, “The Story of the Baptists,” by Richard Cook, and there are many accounts of their persecution.  One I read today was of Pastor John James, who in London was “dragged by force out of his pulpit to prison” October 19, 1661. Witnesses perjured themselves as he was accused of “treasonable language against the king.”  He would be sentenced “to be hanged, drawn and quartered.”  The author states, “His death was a glorious one. ...he was calm, patient and forgiving, and exhorted those around him. His last words were, ‘Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.’”

In far too many places in our world today, we hear of such treatment of our brothers and sisters—India, China, Iran, Syria, Nigeria, and other spots.  Because America’s founding fathers established a country with religious freedom—having fled tyranny to come to here—we have enjoyed protection from such attacks.  The increasing secularism of the nation and pronouncements of courts indicate this may not hold much longer.

What would I do if I faced the challenge which came to John James, and so many other faithful Christians?  Would I stand?  How strong, how real is our faith?  God preserve us, and if it is Your will that we suffer, grant us grace to be faithful.

 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:12-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

BLESSED ASSURANCE!

Read Romans 8.

This is a chapter the commences with, “no condemnation,” and concludes with, “no separation.”  It highlights the precious promise of the perseverance of the saints.  “But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” (v.25‬).

This doctrine underscores the faithfulness of God that undergirds the fruitfulness of God’s children. It is rooted in His character and assures those who are truly born again of the grace we need for transformation—that the God who calls us, changes us, and confirms His work in us.  From start to finish, it is all of grace.  Paul puts it like this, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” (v.29-30‬). In the all-knowing mind of God, and according to His almighty power, He saves us to the uttermost.

We will make it home.  God will hold us fast. Far from being an excuse to sin, this love and grace is the motivation and means for holiness. Even, these bodies of ours will be redeemed.  Our environment, now under the curse, will be liberated as Eden blooms again!

This is a chapter that contrasts groans with glory. We are not home yet.  There are groans (v.22,23,26). Those groans will—some golden daybreak—yield to glories (v.17,18,21,30). God is even using the things that make us groan to accomplish the glory He intends, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (v.28‬)

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.” (Fanny Crosby)

OBEDIENCE—JUST DO IT!

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble….  (2 Peter 1:10)

There is no substitute for obedience in the Christian life.  If Jesus is Lord, then my duty is to submit to Him in all things.  The trajectory of my life is to be more and more in alignment with His will.  This is what is called for in 2 Peter 1:1-11.

We have THE RESOURCES FOR OBEDIENCE (v.1-4).  Some may protest that the expectation for obedience is too high.  “I’m only human!” is the excuse.  We are human—with all the fleshly frailties inherent—but Peter tells us we are not only human, we are “partakers of the divine nature….” There are supernatural resources at our disposal.  Reliance on Jesus brings all He is to bear on our situation—the infinite power of God.  There is promise after promise concerning these resources, and God is always faithful to His Word.  Ultimately, Jesus indwells us to live out His life through us!

Next, consider THE REACH OF OBEDIENCE (v.5-7).  God’s demand for obedience extends to every dimension of existence.  It is to be our diligent pursuit.  We are not to be passive, but passionate in seeking spiritual progress.  Peter uses terms throughout the text that speak of an abundant life!

The abundant life begins with “faith.”  Faith is the foundation upon which we build the Christian life, and is the cement by which we add each block of spiritual development.  We add to our faith, “virtue.”  This is moral excellence, which demonstrates the reality of our faith.  Then to virtue, we add “knowledge.”  We are called out of the darkness of ignorance about God into the light of knowing Him.  Each step of obedience opens up new horizons of understanding and with new understanding comes new vistas of obedience.  Knowledge leads to “self-control.”  Fleshly appetites—God-given drives, perverted by sin—are mastered by us, rather than the passions mastering us.  Self-control brings us to “perseverance.”  We keep moving forward in faith.  Even when we stumble, we get up and go on—pressing ahead in obedience.  Perseverance then yields “godliness.”  It is an attitude of reverence for God, which brings the action of response to God, resulting in our lives reflecting the image of God.  Godliness is expressed in “brotherly kindness.”  Devotion to the Father is manifested in a disposition of kindness toward His family.  That brings us to the pinnacle of spiritual development: “love.”  Since God is love, it is reasonable that those who follow Christ should have this quality in abundance.

Peter proceeds to show THE RESULTS OF OBEDIENCE (v.8-11).  We reap what we sow—and an abundant application of obedience will yield a bumper crop of spiritual growth.  There will be much fruit, and by that, we glorify God.  Each step of obedience brings us into greater fellowship with Christ—the things of this fallen world receding, and the beauties of eternity beckoning.  Our obedience furnishes a testimony of the reality of our faith—conduct giving credibility to our claims.  Then, some day, we can cross the finish line in victory, winning the crown for steadfast obedience!  Just do it!

PREVAILING PRAYING

 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  (Matthew 7:7-8)

We cannot learn to pray effectively without persevering in the discipline.  Any skill we develop requires persistent practice—and that is true in the spiritual realm as well.  What comes easily is valued cheaply.  That will never be the case with prayer.  Prayer is work.  It is how God accomplishes great things in the world—so a corresponding intensity is required when we pray.  Prayer is warfare.  When we enter the prayer chamber, we will get Satan’s notice—and the victories are hard fought.  The enemy of our souls will see to that.

We ask, and go on asking—not because God is deaf.  He knows what He will do and what we will say before the thought even enters our minds, much less escapes our lips!  Rather, it is to our benefit to focus our minds and mouths upon great spiritual concerns.  Far better to persist in thinking about God and speaking to God than being distracted by the seductive appeal of this world.

We seek, and continue to seek—not that God is stingy.  Our Father loves us and is eager to answer us, but He desires our love in return.  Our prayers may be seeking what His hand may give us, when He wants us to seek His face—to find delight simply in spending time with Him—for nothing else can satisfy our soul.  God alone can meet the deepest need of the human heart, and when we seek Him first, everything lesser is thrown in!

We knock, and keep knocking—not that God is aloof.  He sees our approach—and has, in fact, sent the invitation!  The knocking is not to beat the door down, but to break down a spirit of self-sufficiency in us—the very rotten core of the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve consumed.  We are reduced to the level of beggars, pleading with a great King to open the door to His palace.  That is a good thing, for it is in that state of desperation that God has us where He can bless us and not ruin us.

So, just remember, delays are not denials in the economy of God.  The prayers are a matter of our time—and it is time well spent on earth.  The answers are a matter of God’s timing—and He will do it on the schedule that best suits the ultimate in bringing Him glory and the good of ourselves and others.

Prayer is spiritual, therefore, making them eternal.  Some of our prayers may not even be answered during our lifetime—yet, they remain in effect, reserved in Heaven’s chambers, until that blessed day that God moves to respond according to His sovereign purpose.  So, let us not faint—but once more ask, seek and knock.  Then leave it in God’s all-wise and all-powerful hands to take the seeds of prayers we have sown, lying dormant, and to cause them to germinate according to His perfect and precious will!

FAITH THAT WILL NOT FAIL

 

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.  And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.  When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”  (Mark 2:3-5)

These four men believed that if they could bring their friend to Jesus, He could and would help him.  The man could never get there himself.  Someone had to bring him.  But, even when they arrived in the vicinity, with some effort expended, the obstacles appeared too large to overcome.  A seemingly impenetrable wall of people encircled Jesus.  What were they to do?

They did not give up.  They would not make excuses.  Faith finds a way.  What they did had never been done before.  There was no guarantee of success in their plan.  In discussion among themselves, it may have seemed outlandish.  But, as they looked at their paralyzed friend’s sad condition, they knew that to do nothing was to assure failure.  So, they threw caution to the wind—and the result was a transformation in that man’s life, then and for eternity.  Not only was he healed physically, but spiritually!

If we would bring people to Jesus, we can also be sure of obstacles to overcome. Such a task is seldom quick and easy.  It may require, “thinking outside the box.”  Certainly, this method had never been used before!  Others may need to be enlisted to assist us.  There is a price to pay—but, what is the value of a soul?  Excuses never get the job done. 

We need a faith that perseveres.  In the face of difficulty, our faith is to be determined.  It is at the intersection of faith that the power of God meets the poverty of man—and life change occurs.

So, we roll up out sleeves, set aside our fear and questions, and press forward in faith.  Our friends need Jesus!  Let’s find a way to bring them!

HOPE FOR THE HOMESTRETCH

Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.  And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.  Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:39-45)

Here is a picture of California Chrome beginning his journey to horse racing’s most coveted honor—The Triple Crown.  There has not been a horse that has won all three prestigious races: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes since Affirmed did in 1978.  But California Chrome can join that elite group this Saturday if he wins the Belmont. 

It is not always the fastest horse out of the gate that wins, nor the one leading at the halfway point, not even at the last turn.  It is the homestretch that makes the difference—as the wide-eyed horse, with nostrils flaring, hooves pounding, flanks lathered with sweat, and the jockey urging the steed on to the finish where the winner is determined. 

All of us will come to the homestretch of our earthly race, but unlike a horse race, we just don’t know the length until we reach the finish line.  Before California Chrome finishes his race at the end of this week, you or I could be at the end of life’s race.  We may be in the homestretch now. 

How do we finish well?  We must run with hope like the two women in our text.  This week we will consider a young lady named Mary and an elderly woman named Elizabeth—both on the way to becoming mothers whose sons will impact the world, and both who will run their race and end as winners.  Their example is a challenge to all of us to race on with hope for the homestretch!