STAY WITH IT

Hi all,

Perseverance! The character quality which identifies a Christian is perseverance. Throughout the New Testament we are encouraged to “endure to the end”. On the other hand it’s clear that those who don’t endure to the end have nothing to look forward to. In Revelation 2, the Lord Jesus Christ tells the church at Ephesus ¹¹ "Those who have ears should listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches. Those who overcome will not be hurt at all by the second death.' Rev 2:11 NIrV

Logic is not my strong point. But even my logic tells me that by implication “Those who do not overcome will be hurt by the second death”. This may offend your theology. However, we should be aware of what we can expect as a result of our behaviour. Over-comers get rewarded. Under-goers (opposite of over-comers) don’t.

It’s very sad to record that I’ve known a number of people who have started well in the Kingdom of God and are no longer serving Jesus. I wish this was not the case. Indeed, I spent several years in the wilderness myself after committing my life to Jesus. Will they be with the Lord after the second death? I would love to say that they will. There’s a part of me that shudders at the prospect of those whom we have met and loved over the past 50 years not being with us in God’s Kingdom. But the Scripture tells us that only those who endure to the end will be saved. How can I make it read something differently? I wish I could. I hope I am wrong. I want to be wrong. The problem is it seems clear that my understanding is correct.

There are only two possibilities with respect to this understanding. If I am right and you don’t believe it, you will have a major problem. The other is if I am wrong. Then you have no problem. What I’m trying to encourage people to do is to proceed on the assumption that I am right. That way you will have no problem. You will have covered both possibilities and not be leaving anything to chance.

Today’s meditation is a call to endure; to stay with it. If we both do that, the chances are excellent that we will be together in paradise. If not…..

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

Stay with it

My friends I must encourage you to keep on keeping on.     Stand your ground and don’t hold back until your life has gone.

The Master will take care of you; that’s very, very plain. You’re sure to be rewarded. Your labour’s not in vain. Your labour isn’t wasted. You may not see it now. But when you get to be with Him, you’ll see it all – and how! My counsel’s very easy. Be simple and be straight. You’re grounded on the Master. You aren’t left to your fate. You needn’t change direction. Your roots are deep and strong.

Your faith is like a bulwark; and you’re not going wrong. The challenge is to stay with it; that’s what the Lord requires. You’ll surely reap salvation; It’s what our Lord desires! To find an illustration, just think about good seed. Under correct conditions, they’ll sprout up like a weed. But only at the harvest, when there’s been time to grow. You’ll garner in the produce, of that which you did sow. The same applies to everything that’s done for God Most High. It’s only when your race is run, the harvest will apply. You may not see what’s happening, before the task is done. That’s when the Lord will tell you, “I’m pleased with you My son”. So do all His assignments; with joy cooperate. Your faith will be rewarded, when He has set the date. Just do the tasks He’s set for you, as long as it is light. Do them while you’re able, before the coming night. Keep your eyes on Jesus; He’s the illumination, Of everything that’s in this world; the author of salvation. He’s sure to bring you justice and see you reap a crop, That nothing in the universe can interrupt or stop. Live only by His Spirit; you will not reap decay. Instead there’ll be a blessing that man can’t take away. Just seize each opportunity that Jesus sends along. And live to be blessing; you will not get things wrong. Jim Strickland – written 26 December 2011